As part of Tyson Foods’ commitment to proper treatment of farm animals, the company Thursday announced the formation of an independent Farm Animal Well-Being Advisory Panel. Members will serve as advisers to the Tyson FarmCheck program, a comprehensive initiative designed to ensure responsible care and overall well-being of farm animals.

Each panel member was invited to join the panel because of their demonstrated interests across a broad range of issues related to raising farm animals responsibly. Panel members will help to determine research priorities and suggest ways to improve the audit program. Their participation is not a public endorsement of the FarmCheck program, Tyson Foods or any specific animal well-being program.

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Tyson Foods launched the FarmCheck program initiative in October 2012 to focus on a broad array of animal well-being issues. In addition to the advisory panel of experts, the FarmCheck program includes:

 Auditing the treatment of animals at livestock and poultry farms that supply the company

 Using research to identify potential new and better methods for animal care and handling

 Reaffirming Tyson’s commitment to animal well-being issues with a dedicated senior management team

“The FarmCheck program continues our long-standing commitment to responsible farm animal care,” says Donnie Smith, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “This advisory panel is a diverse group of experts who bring valuable perspective on animal well-being. They will help shape the future of the program and ensure its effectiveness.”

Members of the panel include:

 Ryan Best, 2011-2012 president, Future Farmers of America

 Anne Burkholder, cattle feedlot owner

 Ed Cooney, executive director of the Congressional Hunger Center

 Gail Golab, DVM, director of American Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Welfare Division

 Temple Grandin, professor of animal science, Colorado State University

 Karl Guggenmos, dean of culinary education, Johnson & Wales University

 Tim Loula, DVM, co-founder and co-owner of Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN

 Miyun Park, executive director, Global Animal Partnership

 Ashley Peterson, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, National Chicken Council

 Richard Raymond, M.D., former U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Food Safety

 Janeen Salak-Johnson, associate professor in Animal Sciences, University of Illinois

 Janice Swanson, chair and professor, Animal Behavior and Welfare, Michigan State University

 Bruce Webster, professor of poultry science, University of Georgia

Each panelist will serve independent of their professional affiliations and will bring their unique perspectives to bear in the FarmCheck program. Their individual biographies are available at http://bit.ly/10AxJgd.

A one-page summary about the FarmCheck program is available at http://bit.ly/12DHOMr.

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