BEEF and lamb processor JBS has taken full-page advertisements in metropolitan newspapers today defending its track record over animal welfare performance, following aggressive criticisms levelled at the company last Friday by WA billionaire mining magnate Twiggy Forest.
Dr Forrest, who also owns Western Australia’s Harvey Beef processing business, continues to challenge JBS’s planned takeover of the Huon Aquaculture business, raising questions about the company’s animal welfare and environmental credentials.
Click on image to enlarge
He has suggested JBS has an ‘appalling track record on the treatment of animals.’
Many stakeholders have interpreted his attack as being motivated by an apparently unsuccessful rival bid of his own for control of Huon.
On Sunday in an interview on ABC Landline, Dr Forrest broadened his animal welfare concern comments to include all Australian meat processors – chicken, pork, beef and lamb.
JBS’s prominent print advertisements appearing today do not specifically reference Dr Forrest’s comments, but stress the company’s “uncompromising commitment to the highest animal welfare standards.”
“Our approach to animal welfare is based on the ‘five freedoms’ – the globally-recognised gold standard for animal welfare,” it says.
“High animal welfare standards are an integral part of our culture. We continually strive to meet and exceed government regulatory requirements and our customer and community expectations.
“Sustainability is at the heart of our strategy,” it says.
Earlier this year, JBS became the first global meat company to publicly commit to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2040.
“To support this commitment, we are investing $1.4 billion over the next decade in greenhouse gas emission reduction projects across our operations. We are proud to help lead the global fight against climate change,” the company’s advertisement says.
“From the highest animal welfare standards to meeting the challenge of climate change, JBS will continue to do business the right way for the benefit of producers, consumers and our shared society.”
No Pain, No Fear
Dr Forrest has drawn attention to a program he says is operating at his own Harvey Beef processing plant in Western Australia, called, “No Pain, No Fear,” designed to eliminate stress and fear in production animals during the ‘last 50 metres of their lives.’
Beef Central has asked Harvey Beef for details about what is involved in the ‘No Pain, No Fear’ program. No detail is provided on the company’s website. The company said its response may take a few days to pull together, but nothing has yet been received.
In an earlier statement, JBS said it unequivocally supported the concept of ‘No pain, No fear’ and upheld the highest standards of animal welfare in this country.
“JBS Australia fully complies with Australian Animal Welfare Standards and is certified under the AusMeat – Industry Animal Welfare Certification Program (AAWCS) for livestock processing facilities,” the company said.
“Our production facilities are independently audited by the Federal Government, AusMeat and key customers to guarantee compliance with established animal welfare programs and standards.
We uphold our high standards of animal welfare through industry leading policy relating to responsible care for animals under our control, regular internal and external audits, extensive CCTV monitoring, training for livestock handlers, and livestock transport checks.
“We strive for continuous improvement in our welfare efforts through new processes, technologies and the implementation of standards that meet and often exceed regulatory requirements.
JBS said it had a zero-tolerance for animal abuse from its own employees and third parties in the transport supply-chain, processing plants or feedlots.
Same animal welfare and sustainability commitment at Huon
“As we have said previously, JBS will apply its uncompromising commitment to animal welfare and sustainability at Huon to build on the legacy of the Bender family in Tasmania,” the company said.
“Understandably, Tasmania has some of the most stringent environmental licence and regulatory standards in the world to protect its pristine waterways and we are committed to meeting and exceeding those standards and rigorously applying our continuous improvement approach.
On Monday, Dr Forrest called on the Australian Government to intervene to stop the JBS Group taking over Huon.
“Serious environmental concerns were behind the decision by Tattarang not to match the JBS Group offer price for Huon Aquaculture Group,” he said.
“Huon has announced that the JBS offer price is materially higher than the non-binding indicative offer provided by Tattarang. Tattarang had factored into its offer price several key environmental improvements that it strongly believes are absolutely necessary for sustainable and responsible salmon production,” Dr Forrest said.
The first of these was an end to salmon farming in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour. Tattarang wanted to remove the salmon pens from Macquarie Harbour where they are “environmentally destructive, and have caused deep upset to the local community.”
“Our offer was predicated on fixing the environment, focusing on production in deep water high current environments, or on land. We bought shares to continue to pressure future management to move the pens,” Dr Forrest said.
Huon board again backs JBS bid
Huon Aquaculture delivered its annual results to shareholders today, with the board again stressing its support for JBS’s offer to acquire 100pc of the Huon company shares.
“This was the result of an extensive review process over six months by the board,” chairman Neil Kearney said.
“The board considers the…. JBS offer to be in the best interests of Huon’s shareholders.”
“The board believes this transaction provides Huon shareholders with an opportunity to realise significant value for their shares. The (JBS) bid provides certainty for Huon shareholders, and a compelling premium in cash to recent trading prices for Huon shares.
A shareholder meeting is expected to take place in mid to late October at which a vote will be taken on the JBS offer.
Following a similar experience as that seen in the beef industry, Huon salmon last year recorded a downturn in sales in the domestic wholesale market in the early stages of COVID (late FY19), before quickly recovering in the second half of FY2020. Volumes sold through domestic wholesale were up 18pc in FY2021 compared with the previous year. Pricing, however, was disrupted by interruption in the domestic and international food service sector.
Twiggy’s correct. salmon pens do not belong in Macquarie Harbour. JBS have not shown a plan to shift the pens.
What is it with “Dr” Forrest that he can’t accept that he lost the deal, and that he now needs to move on. The majority of Australians take the wider view and are not, and thankfully never will be, as “woke” as he is. Living his privileged life may have distanced him from John and Mary Citizen who need a job to put food on the table for their children, and who believe that all environmental gestures should be aimed at (his business partner) the major emitter, and not anyone in Australia.
Peter Dunn needs to be reminded the Fortescue Metals ( Dr Twiggy) employs 11,000 plus persons. It’s called jobs for Australians .
Yes he does employ thousands, as do most most billionaires, and applause from me for so doing, but that does not justify him or any other for behaving like a spoilt child. To reiterate, Australians expect more from their business leaders.
This public brawl will do nothing for the meat/beef industry and the many that want to bad mouth our Industry will have a field day. Spoilt brat comes to mind.