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Governance
Animal care is one of our four priorities in our efforts to become a sustainable company.
We are significantly enhancing governance, investment and operational focus to build a world-class program. Animal welfare is a shared responsibility, with executive leadership accountable for our performance. In 2015, we established the new role of VP, Animal Care. In this capacity, Dr. Kathleen Long has the mandate to implement our integrated program, which incorporates leading science and advancements. This involves working with both an Animal Care Council and an Animal Care Technical Committee composed of experts throughout our company, to identify requirements, advance practices and monitor progress.
In 2015, Animal Care reported quarterly to the Environment, Health and Safety Committee of the Board. Senior leaders of our hog production, poultry and pork businesses continue to maintain executive responsibility for animal care, regularly reviewing reports and audits, and signing off on policies. Within the business, we have two veterinarians who oversee animal welfare, along with dedicated CFIA veterinarians and staff at each of our processing plants. Animal welfare metrics are reported regularly, and non-compliance or audit failures are immediately acted on.