Dr Christine Daugherty has been named vice president-Animal Well-Being Programs and Technology, and will be responsible for the company’s farm animal treatment policy. She replaces Dr Dean Danilson, who retires after 26 years at Tyson.
Mike Roetzel, group vice president-Operation Services, said: "Chris has been involved in Tyson Foods’ animal well-being efforts over the past 11 years through the science, research and legal roles she’s had with the company."
Her tasks will include overseeing the Tyson FarmCheck program, including third-party, on-farm animal well-being audits; working with an external Animal Well-Being Advisory Panel; carrying out additional research; and managing Tyson Foods’ animal well-being staff, animal handling training and audits at processing plants.
Roetzel added: "I believe her education, experience, and leadership skills make her an excellent choice for this important job. In addition, her knowledge of cutting-edge technologies will help us further explore new and unique animal well-being innovations."
Daugherty joined the company in 2003, working as an attorney, before being promoted to the role of director of intellectual property and technology development in 2011. Two years later she was appointed chief technology officer for Cobb-Vantress, a poultry breeding company owned by Tyson Foods.
In addition, Tyson said she "has helped provide strategic oversight for Tyson Foods’ poultry research farm". "She is an internal committee member for the FarmCheck program and serves as executive committee member of the Cobb-Vantress Animal Welfare advisory program. She is also on the US Poultry Foundation Research Advisory Committee that funds research projects that benefit the poultry and egg industry."
Tyson Foods, which has its headquarters in Arkansas, USA, is one of the world’s largest meat producers, with a portfolio of brands including Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Sara Lee frozen bakery, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells and State Fair.