Following are two Butterball, LLC statements regarding the investigation of a Hoke County breeder farm and the investigation of a North Carolina Departure of Agriculture employee.
GARNER, N.C. – Feb. 15, 2012 – Butterball, LLC has fully cooperated with Hoke County law enforcement officials in their investigation of allegations of animal cruelty on a Hoke County turkey breeder farm. As the result of Butterball’s own internal investigation into this matter, Butterball terminated four employees last month due to their failure to comply with the company’s animal care and well-being standards.
Butterball understands that three of these former associates have been charged with animal cruelty today. In addition, Butterball understands that two current Butterball associates have been charged with animal cruelty. Butterball has immediately suspended these two current associates pending final disciplinary action.
Animal care and well-being are central to who Butterball is as a company, and we are committed to the care and well-being of our turkey flocks. We are closely re-evaluating our animal care and well-being policies and practices and have already established several new initiatives – including reviewing scientific literature and enhancing the company program, re-training associates on animal care and well-being, elevating animal care and well-being to a position that reports directly to the CEO, and conducting extensive third-party audits by national experts – that reinforce this commitment.
Garner, N.C. – Feb. 15, 2012 – Butterball, LLC has fully cooperated with an investigation by Hoke County law enforcement officials regarding an unsolicited communication made by Dr. Sarah Jean Mason of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to Butterball regarding one of the company’s turkey breeder farms in Hoke County. That investigation has resulted in misdemeanor guilty pleas, in which Dr. Mason has accepted responsibility for her actions.
About Butterball, LLC:
Butterball, LLC is the largest producer of turkey products in the United States. Headquartered in Garner, N.C., Butterball produces 1 billion pounds of turkey each year, and the company supplies its products to more than 50 countries. The industry leader has five plants located throughout the United States.
For more information about Butterball, visit www.butterballcorp.com. You can also call 1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372).