The animal rights activist group Mercy for Animals has released an undercover video reportedly shot at a pig farm in Pennsylvania. The video allegedly portrays farm employees abusing pigs in their care.
Representatives of the farm’s owner, Country View Family Farms, issued a statement after viewing the video condemning the mishandling of animals. They noted that all their employees undergo training to properly handle the animals in their care and sign code of conduct letters. Their animal handling philosophy is posted prominently on the company’s webpage: To be responsible stewards of the animals placed in our care, educating and training our pork producers and transporters to constantly maintain the highest level of integrity in animal welfare and bio-security, while reinforcing our commitment to safe, wholesome product our consumers can trust.
Company representatives stressed that acts of animal abuse are dealt with in a timely manner when brought to the attention of farm supervisors and company management. So was the case earlier this year when management was made aware (through methods not associated with this undercover video) of employees mishandling pigs by lifting them by the ears. Employees were re-trained on proper handling techniques and the issue was addressed in the months after this video was taken in March – May 2009.
While emphasizing that CVFF does not condone or tolerate the mistreatment of animals, the company continues to investigate the allegations and has replaced the supervisor on the farm. All employees who work directly with animals will undergo re-training on animal handling and well-being.
The AASV has joined with the National Pork Board and the owners of CVFF to reinforce the importance of proper animal handling and well-being and to condemn the mistreatment of animals. AASV President Dr. Butch Baker, in an interview with Fox News, expressed his "lack of patience for anyone who abuses animals." U.S. pork producers are committed to care for animals in a way that protects their well-being. The industry provides education and training programs – including Pork Quality Assurance Plus® and the Transport Quality Assurance® Program — to ensure that all persons involved in the care of pigs understand their ethical responsibility and possess the skills necessary to provide good care.
The AASV encourages our members to use this incident as an opportunity to work with your clients to reinforce the importance of good animal husbandry practices and concern for animal well-being. All producers should receive training on proper animal handling techniques and participate in industry programs supporting proper animal care.
The Fox News story and a portion of the video can be viewed at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,575305,00.html