U.S. supplier to Hormel tightens controls after animal abuse video

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

U.S. supplier to Hormel tightens controls after animal abuse video
Reuters
By Danny Na
2 hours ago

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A U.S. hog slaughterhouse, where workers were videoed beating animals, took action on Thursday to meet demands from Hormel Foods Corp, its only customer, that it tighten controls and give extra training to staff.

A video released on Wednesday by animal activist group Compassion Over Killing showed workers at the Austin, Minnesota plant, owned by Quality Pork Processors Inc (QPP), beating, dragging and slitting the throats of live animals.

"We are extremely disappointed and concerned to see the recently released undercover video detailing instances of aggressive animal handling and employee insensitivity at one of our supplier facilities," Spam-maker Hormel said in a statement on Thursday.

It said it was bringing humane handling officers to the plant to ensure compliance with its own animal welfare standards. It has also told QPP to provide extra training, enhance compliance oversight and increase third-party auditing.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/u-supplier-hormel-tightens-controls-animal-abuse-video-035558598--sector.html