Tyson Foods Inc
TSN:US US9024941034
Key Information
HQ:
United States
Market Cap:
$21.09bn
Primary Market:
North America
Waste & Pollution Engagement
Analysis Overview
Risk Assessment Value Chain Coverage Risk Mitigation Circularity Company Engagement
Analysis Breakdown
Risk Assessment
Poor
Coverage of water quality risk assessment
In 2017-2018, the company launched an initiative to understand its exposure to water risks. The company used the WRI Aqueduct tool and data from NorthStart to assess the water risks for its direct operations in the US, including water quality. The company discloses the regions where it found its facilities were at high-risk only for its US operations. However, the company has not conducted any recent risk assessment for its direct operations, and the findings from the previous risk assessment might have changed over time, so it should be refreshed.
The company mentions that it is currently gathering data for its international operations.
Transparency and disclosure of water quality indicators
The company mentions that almost all its US facilities must gather and report discharge quality data. However, the company does not disclose the figures.
In its 2022 CDP Water response, the company discloses that it was subject to one fine for non-compliance with water-related regulatory violations. Further, Tyson mentions 20 cases of environmental non-compliance in 2021, 13 of which were wastewater violations. It does not disclose the details of these violations.
Recognition of nutrient pollution risk on biodiversity
The company has done an assessment covering all its operating geographies, but it´s unclear whether it will be used to set a global standard.
Value Chain Coverage
Poor
Inclusion of upstream feed and livestock suppliers in risk assessment
The company mentions that in 2017-2018, it modelled the water stress in the areas where animals were procured, including nitrogen loading resulting from raising animals and corn feed. The assessment results were used to identify priority locations for water stewardship activities. The company mentions that in 2021-2022, it worked again with WRI to conduct a risk assessment of its international supply chain using the Aqueduct tool.
The company does not disclose the total % of farms included in the assessment. We also recommend that the company updates the assessment for its domestic operations, as the results might have changed over time.
Downstream use of manure by animal feed suppliers
The company does not disclose information.
Acknowledgment of regulatory risks
The company does not disclose information.
Transparency on non-compliance from suppliers
The company does not disclose information.
Risk Mitigation
Medium
Biogas generation and organic fertilisers from animal waste
The company discloses that in 2021, it partnered with Cross River Infrastructure Partners, NW Natural and BioCarbN to convert methane from several Tyson wastewater facilities into renewable natural gas (RNG). The company discloses that the project is expected to generate more than 1.2 million MMBtu of RNG annually.
The company mentions that poultry litter is owned and managed by contract poultry farmers. It does not mention supporting contract farmers to produce biogas.
Target-setting for water quality
In 2019, the company committed to developing Contextual Water Plans at 11 of its high-risk locations in the US by 2025. The company has completed six of these plans to date. The site-specific plans consist of water quantity initiatives and water quality targets to reduce or protect nutrient risk to the source, among others.
Support to third-party suppliers
The company mentions that contract poultry farmers own and manage poultry litter. The company does not disclose further information about poultry litter downstream or how the manure produced by hogs and cattle is managed.
The company mentions that through various nonprofit partnerships, it has helped to move millions of tons of poultry litter out of the Illinois River Watershed, which has been redistributed to areas with less density of nutrients available. The company does not disclose further details about this project.
The company also discloses that it supports feed farmers to improve economically and environmentally. The company set a target to improve land stewardship practices on 2 million acres of row crop corn by the end of 2025. It launched two pilot projects, one of which involved a farm management software program that provides farmers with insights on the value of conservation practices, including planting cover crops and improving soil and manure management. Through the same project, the company partnered with the Environmental Defense Fund and Farmers Business Network to provide farmers with technical and agronomic assistance to improve row crop corn yield and maximise positive environmental outcomes.
Circularity
Poor
Pilot projects around nutrient circularity
The company does not disclose information.
Disclosure of investment in circular solutions
The company does not disclose information.
Targets to increase share of manure under circular initiatives
The company does not disclose information.
Company Engagement
Poor
Level of company engagement with the coalition
The company responded to the investor letter after a chaser email. It did not respond to the engagement questions. The company declined to meet investors. The company provided feedback on FAIRR´s assessment.
Workstream Information
2023 level
Poor
Index Waste & Pollution Score:
21/100
Assessed Proteins:
Beef, Poultry and eggs, Pork
Last Updated:
28 June 2023
2023/24 Resources
Phase 1 | Key Findings Report Waste & Pollution Engagement