Tyson Foods Inc and Cargill Inc are both top names in the meat processing industry. Tyson Foods Inc has been around since 1935 their headquarters are located in Springdale, Arkansas. According to their website, the company supplies products and services throughout the United States along with 90 other countries. They claim to be faith friendly and provide a safe environment for their workers and serve as stewards of the animal, land and environment entrusted into it. They are one of the world's largest processors of chicken, beef and pork along with prepared foods.
In 2012, the company earned estimated revenue of $33.3 billion and had approximately 115,000 employees. They earned the majority of their revenue from consumer products and their sales of beef products. They also earned a significant amount from food service which totaled in at 34% of their total profit in 2012.
Cargill Inc, is an international producer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. According to their website, they currently employ 142,000 people in over 65 countries. In 2012 alone, the company earned revenue of $133.9 billion in sales and other revenues.
Both of these companies stated that they do not predict they will be affected by government budget cuts of food inspectors until April. The United States Department of Agriculture was debating about dismissing inspectors for 15 days as part of a budget cut. A spokesperson for Cargill does not seem happy with the governments plan, he stated, "We are hopeful USDA will formulate a common sense plan that will not interrupt the production of food for Americans and consumers around the world who enjoy U.S. meat products,". According to Bloomberg, this budget cut could cost the industry over $10 billion and workers could lose more than $400 million in earnings. A decrease in food inspectors could potentially affect grocery stores nationwide
The USDA mission statement is to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. Part of efficient management is to regulate over 6,300 slaughterhouses and processing plants.
