World meat industry news

People and companies around the world are increasingly putting a spotlight on humane handling of animals. Today, animals’ living conditions represent a matter of concern for many consumers of meat and meat products – from retail customers to major restaurant chains. Read on to learn how Cherkizovo Group ensures the comfort of livestock kept on its farms.

For hundreds of years now people have been having debates about animal welfare, with the first written records of the concept dating back to the 17th century. It was then that English colonists in Massachusetts adopted a law that stated, “no man shall exercise any tyranny or cruelty towards any brute creature which are usually kept for man’s use.” The principles of humane animal treatment that are generally accepted today were formulated following a UK government-sponsored study on the welfare of animals kept under intensive livestock husbandry systems conducted in 1965. Professor F.W. Rogers Brambell, author of the study, wrote in his report: “An animal should at least have sufficient freedom of movement to be able without difficulty, to turn round, groom itself, get up, lie down and stretch its limbs.”

The report gave birth to a set of rules referred to as Brambell’s Five Freedoms, which were adopted by professional associations, including veterinarians, and animal protection organizations. According to these rules, animals shall have the following freedoms:

1) Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor.

2) Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3) Freedom to express normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.

4) Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

5) Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

These principles underpin the international Animal Welfare standards that are supported by all responsible livestock producers, including Cherkizovo Group. Some of our employees involved in rearing, slaughtering and primary processing have already completed the animal welfare training at the University of Bristol to become certified welfare officers.

The Animal Welfare standards require humane treatment of farm animals and birds at all stages of meat production, from farm to slaughter. While being key to ensuring humane treatment, compliance with the standards also contributes to a better quality of products as comfortable animal living conditions are known to result in better meat. Following these standards is a must for meat producers willing to sell their products to fast food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King or KFC, and Cherkizovo Group is a trusted supplier to all the three majors.

In rearing and slaughtering pigs, we seek to adhere to the US National Pork Board’s Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PAQ+) and ensure humane treatment. All animals are under constant veterinary care, including regular clinical examinations, blood tests, and timely vaccination. Our Pork division implemented the Needle Free technology, which enables less painful and more efficient vaccination compared to conventional systems while at the same time improving meat quality.

Nutrition of animals is crucial to their health and well-being. We place special emphasis on the quality of the feed our pigs and birds receive and source it only from our own feed mills, all of which are equipped with chemistry and cereal labs to determine the nutritional value of feed and identify unwanted impurities. We produce feed to special formulas with a balanced combination of proteins, microelements, vitamins, and amino acids based on nutritionists’ recommendations and animal health.