WASHINGTON — The Meat Institute announced an update to its Animal Handling Guidelines and Animal Welfare Audit on May 7, as well as the release of a new bison animal welfare audit.

“The Meat Institute has a longstanding commitment to animal welfare. It is especially important to track and improve animal handling for the well-being of the animals and the safety of workers,” said Julie Anna Potts. “Through these updated guidelines, and as part of the Protein PACT, Meat Institute companies continue to advance high standards of animal care.”

Part of the update includes scores for each animal handling criterion so that members can set and track goals. By measuring objective criteria like animal vocalizations, falls, prod use to move animals and effective stunning, plants can evaluate their animal handling practices, identify any problems and drive continuous improvement. 

The guidelines and audit were originally authored by the Meat Institute’s Animal Welfare Committee in collaboration with Temple Grandin, PhD, professor of animal behavior at Colorado State University, in 1997. The same parties authored the updates and new audit. The audit was confirmed by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO).

The Meat Institute is also publishing stunning and body condition scoring guidance for meat and poultry companies to help improve animal welfare.

The updated guidelines, audit forms and additional resources are available on the Meat Institute’s website.

The new guidelines and audit changes will be highlighted during the 2024 Animal Care and Handling Conference, held May 16-17 in Kansas City, Mo. The conference topics will focus on improving animal welfare throughout the supply chain and prioritizing safe animal handling.