Humane Handling at our Facilities
Our commitment to animal welfare is reflected in our comprehensive programs, which include specific requirements and procedures to safeguard the health and well-being of our livestock and poultry throughout all stages — transportation, unloading, handling, and processing. These programs are also designed with the safety of our team members in mind.
In the U.S., our poultry animal welfare programs consistently meet or exceed the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO)-certified National Chicken Council (NCC) Guidelines for breeders, hatcheries, broilers, and slaughter operations. Our processing facilities implement rigorous monitoring protocols. Managers conduct walkthroughs to ensure compliance with animal handling standards, and regular quality assessment checks are performed at each station. Furthermore, United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) personnel are permanently stationed in our U.S. plants during processing, working in conjunction with Pilgrim’s quality assurance team to guarantee full adherence to all applicable USDA chicken processing regulations.
Across all Pilgrim’s facilities, every aspect of animal handling, including vaccinations, treatments, and transfers to new facilities or processing, is conducted using approved methods that prioritize animal welfare and minimize the risk of injury.
All of our processing facilities in Mexico have achieved compliance with the Federally Inspected Type (TIF) — a voluntary food-quality certification awarded by the Mexican government. Similarly, our abattoir facilities in Europe adhere to the stringent animal welfare standards outlined in Council Regulation N˚1099/2009.
Pilgrim's Europe Pork higher welfare supply chain raises hogs according to Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) higher welfare standards as a minimum benchmark. Low-stress handling techniques are employed throughout, and facilities are meticulously maintained to ensure optimal animal flow. Group CO2 stunning systems, compliant with Council Regulation N˚1099/2009 standards on animal welfare, are used for all hogs and are subject to daily monitoring by FSA inspectors.
Humane Handling at our Facilities
Our commitment to animal welfare is reflected in our comprehensive programs, which include specific requirements and procedures to safeguard the health and well-being of our livestock and poultry throughout all stages — transportation, unloading, handling, and processing. These programs are also designed with the safety of our team members in mind.
In the U.S., our poultry animal welfare programs consistently meet or exceed the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO)-certified National Chicken Council (NCC) Guidelines for breeders, hatcheries, broilers, and slaughter operations. Our processing facilities implement rigorous monitoring protocols. Managers conduct walkthroughs to ensure compliance with animal handling standards, and regular quality assessment checks are performed at each station. Furthermore, United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) personnel are permanently stationed in our U.S. plants during processing, working in conjunction with Pilgrim’s quality assurance team to guarantee full adherence to all applicable USDA chicken processing regulations.
Across all Pilgrim’s facilities, every aspect of animal handling, including vaccinations, treatments, and transfers to new facilities or processing, is conducted using approved methods that prioritize animal welfare and minimize the risk of injury.
All of our processing facilities in Mexico have achieved compliance with the Federally Inspected Type (TIF) — a voluntary food-quality certification awarded by the Mexican government. Similarly, our abattoir facilities in Europe adhere to the stringent animal welfare standards outlined in Council Regulation N˚1099/2009.
Pilgrim's Europe Pork higher welfare supply chain raises hogs according to Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) higher welfare standards as a minimum benchmark. Low-stress handling techniques are employed throughout, and facilities are meticulously maintained to ensure optimal animal flow. Group CO2 stunning systems, compliant with Council Regulation N˚1099/2009 standards on animal welfare, are used for all hogs and are subject to daily monitoring by FSA inspectors.
Humane Handling at our Facilities
Our commitment to animal welfare is reflected in our comprehensive programs, which include specific requirements and procedures to safeguard the health and well-being of our livestock and poultry throughout all stages — transportation, unloading, handling, and processing. These programs are also designed with the safety of our team members in mind.
In the U.S., our poultry animal welfare programs consistently meet or exceed the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO)-certified National Chicken Council (NCC) Guidelines for breeders, hatcheries, broilers, and slaughter operations. Our processing facilities implement rigorous monitoring protocols. Managers conduct walkthroughs to ensure compliance with animal handling standards, and regular quality assessment checks are performed at each station. Furthermore, United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) personnel are permanently stationed in our U.S. plants during processing, working in conjunction with Pilgrim’s quality assurance team to guarantee full adherence to all applicable USDA chicken processing regulations.
Across all Pilgrim’s facilities, every aspect of animal handling, including vaccinations, treatments, and transfers to new facilities or processing, is conducted using approved methods that prioritize animal welfare and minimize the risk of injury.
All of our processing facilities in Mexico have achieved compliance with the Federally Inspected Type (TIF) — a voluntary food-quality certification awarded by the Mexican government. Similarly, our abattoir facilities in Europe adhere to the stringent animal welfare standards outlined in Council Regulation N˚1099/2009.
Pilgrim's Europe Pork higher welfare supply chain raises hogs according to Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) higher welfare standards as a minimum benchmark. Low-stress handling techniques are employed throughout, and facilities are meticulously maintained to ensure optimal animal flow. Group CO2 stunning systems, compliant with Council Regulation N˚1099/2009 standards on animal welfare, are used for all hogs and are subject to daily monitoring by FSA inspectors.
Transportation
We prioritize the well-being of our animals during transportation, taking proactive measures to protect them from extreme temperatures and ensure adequate ventilation.
For our chickens, transportation protocols are adapted to the season. During colder months, side and front panels are added to the transport cages to maintain warmth. In the summer months, we reduce the number of chickens per cage and implement cooling measures such as shade, fans, and misters to minimize heat stress. We strive to minimize the time chickens spend in cages, adhering to regionally appropriate animal welfare practices. We also diligently monitor animal welfare metrics related to the handling and transportation of our chickens.
In Europe, our pork production facilities require that livestock be moved within their established social groups to reduce stress. Hog trailers are equipped with lifting decks to facilitate smooth and stress-free loading. Trailers are bedded with straw for comfort, and supplementary drinking water is provided during the summer months. Transport time is closely monitored, with current journey times averaging four hours and a strict maximum limit of eight hours.
Transportation
We prioritize the well-being of our animals during transportation, taking proactive measures to protect them from extreme temperatures and ensure adequate ventilation.
For our chickens, transportation protocols are adapted to the season. During colder months, side and front panels are added to the transport cages to maintain warmth. In the summer months, we reduce the number of chickens per cage and implement cooling measures such as shade, fans, and misters to minimize heat stress. We strive to minimize the time chickens spend in cages, adhering to regionally appropriate animal welfare practices. We also diligently monitor animal welfare metrics related to the handling and transportation of our chickens.
In Europe, our pork production facilities require that livestock be moved within their established social groups to reduce stress. Hog trailers are equipped with lifting decks to facilitate smooth and stress-free loading. Trailers are bedded with straw for comfort, and supplementary drinking water is provided during the summer months. Transport time is closely monitored, with current journey times averaging four hours and a strict maximum limit of eight hours.
Transportation
We prioritize the well-being of our animals during transportation, taking proactive measures to protect them from extreme temperatures and ensure adequate ventilation.
For our chickens, transportation protocols are adapted to the season. During colder months, side and front panels are added to the transport cages to maintain warmth. In the summer months, we reduce the number of chickens per cage and implement cooling measures such as shade, fans, and misters to minimize heat stress. We strive to minimize the time chickens spend in cages, adhering to regionally appropriate animal welfare practices. We also diligently monitor animal welfare metrics related to the handling and transportation of our chickens.
In Europe, our pork production facilities require that livestock be moved within their established social groups to reduce stress. Hog trailers are equipped with lifting decks to facilitate smooth and stress-free loading. Trailers are bedded with straw for comfort, and supplementary drinking water is provided during the summer months. Transport time is closely monitored, with current journey times averaging four hours and a strict maximum limit of eight hours.
