WASHINGTON – The American Meat Institute (AMI) released the first in what is to be a series of videos that offer a behind-the-scenes look into meat production practices in an effort to convey transparency in the industry and to satisfy public curiosity about how livestock is handled and processed at “typical” large meat plants.

The 10-minute video features animal handling expert Dr. Temple Grandin, who is a professor at Colorado State Univ. and a regular columnist for Meat&Poultry magazine, walking viewers through a beef plant tour.

She explains the ‘how and why’ behind various handling and slaughter practices. For example, she explains that livestock that is properly stunned and insensible will exhibit some reflexive kicking. Animal welfare activist groups have pointed to this type of movement as evidence that the animal is alive and sensitive to pain. 

Click here to see the video and read more about how AMI developed the concept.