It's In Our Nature
Global Reporting Initiative Index
8.0 Global Reporting Initiative Index

Report Grade Tyson Foods referenced the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 2006 G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines during the development of this report. These voluntary guidelines provide a generally accepted framework for the reporting of an organization’s social, environmental, and economic performance. To indicate a report is GRI-based, an organization must declare the level to which they have applied the GRI reporting framework via the “Application Levels” system. To meet the different needs of beginner, intermediate, and advanced reporters, there are three application levels including C, B, and A. The reporting levels reflect the coverage of the GRI reporting framework. A reporting organization can receive a plus (+) if an external assurance provider verifies the report. For this report, both Tyson Foods and GRI confirm that the GRI “B” application level has been met. The index below provides details on the GRI indicators addressed in this report. For additional information about GRI, visit www.globalreporting.org.

STRATEGY AND ANALYSIS

GRI Disclosure

Description

Location

Extent Reported

Comments

1.1

Statement from CEO

1.1;1.2;1.3

Fully


1.2

Key impacts, risks, and opportunities

1.3; Throughout

Fully

Also see Tyson Foods' 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K


ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

GRI Disclosure

Description

Location

Extent Report

Comments

2.1

Organization name

2.0

Fully


2.2

Primary brands, products, and/or services

2.0; 2.12.2

Fully

Also see Tyson Foods' 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Fiscal 2009 Fact Book

2.3

Operational structure

2.2

Fully

Also see Tyson Foods' 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Fiscal 2009 Fact Book

2.4

Location of organization's headquarters

2.0 

Fully


2.5

Countries of operation

2.0; 2.3; 6.6

Fully

Also see Tyson Foods' 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Fiscal 2009 Fact Book

2.6

Nature of ownership and legal form

2.0

Fully

Also see Tyson Foods' 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Fiscal 2009 Fact Book

2.7

Markets served

2.1; 2.26.6

Fully

Also see Tyson Foods' 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K

2.8

Scale of reporting organization

2.0; 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 3.0; 3.26.2

Fully

Also see Tyson Foods' 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Fiscal 2009 Fact Book

2.9

Significant changes during reporting period

2.0; 2.3; 6.2; 6.56.6

Fully

Also see Tyson Foods' 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K

2.10

Awards received during reporting period

Throughout

Fully



REPORT PARAMETERS

GRI Disclosure

Description

Location

Extent Reported

Comments

3.1

Reporting period

7.0

Fully


3.2

Date of most previous report

7.0 

Fully


3.3

Reporting cycle

7.0 

Fully


3.4

Contact point for questions about report

7.2 

Fully

Questions and comments can be emailed to sustainability@tyson.com.

3.5

Process for defining report content

7.17.2

Fully


3.6

Boundary of the report

7.0

Fully


3.7

Limitations on the scope or boundary of the report

7.0 

Fully


3.8

Basis for reporting on subsidiaries, joint ventures, leased facilities, etc.

7.0

Fully


3.9

Data measurement techniques and the basis of calculations

7.4 

Fully


3.10

Restatements of information provided in earlier reports

7.3

Fully


3.11

Significant changes from previous reporting periods in the scope, boundary, or measurement methods applied

7.3 

Fully


3.12

GRI overview

7.1

Fully


3.13

External assurance for the report

7.4 

Fully

External assurance has not been provided for this report


GOVERNANCE, COMMITMENTS, AND ENGAGEMENT

GRI Disclosure

Description

Location

Extent Reported

Comments

4.1

Organization's governance structure

3.16.1

Fully

Also visit Tyson Foods' Investor Relations Web site (ir.tysonfoods.com/)

4.2

Roles of the Chairman of the Board and the CEO

6.1

Fully


4.3

Members of the Board

6.1 

Fully

Also visit Tyson Foods' Investor Relations Web site (ir.tysonfoods.com/)

4.4

Mechanisms for shareholders and employees to provide recommendations to the Board

3.1; 7.26.1

Fully

Also visit Tyson Foods' Investor Relations Web site (ir.tysonfoods.com/)

4.5

Linkage between compensation for members of the highest governance body, senior management, and executives

6.1 

Fully

Also visit Tyson Foods' Investor Relations Web site (ir.tysonfoods.com/)

4.6

Process for the Board to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided

6.1 

Fully


4.7

Process for determining the qualifications of Board members

6.1 

Fully

Also visit Tyson Foods' Investor Relations Web site (ir.tysonfoods.com/)

4.8

Statements of internally developed mission or values, codes of conduct, and principles relevant to social, environmental, and economic performance

Throughout

Fully


4.9

Procedures for the Board to oversee the organization's identification and management of social, environmental, and economic performance

3.16.1

Fully

Also visit Tyson Foods' Investor Relations Web site (ir.tysonfoods.com/)

4.10

Process for evaluating the Board's performance, particularly with respect to the organization's social, environmental, and economic performance

6.1

Fully

Also visit Tyson Foods' Investor Relations Web site (ir.tysonfoods.com/)

4.11

Explanation of whether and how the precautionary approach or principle is addressed by the organization

6.1 

Fully


4.12

Externally developed social, environmental, and economic charters, principles, and other initiatives to which the organization subscribes or endorses

Throughout

Fully


4.13

Membership of association

6.7 

Fully


4.14

List of stakeholder groups engaged by the organization

7.2

Fully


4.15

Identification and selection of stakeholders with whom to engage

7.2 

Fully


4.16

Approaches to stakeholder engagement

7.17.2

Fully


4.17

Key topics and concerns that have been raised through stakeholder engagement

7.2 

Fully



ECONOMIC (*=Core Indicator)

GRI Disclosure

Description

Location

Extent Reported

Comments

Economic DMA


1.1, 1.4, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2, 3.5, 5.1, 6.06.3

Fully

Also see our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K

EC1*

Direct economic value generated and distributed

Throughout

Fully

Also see our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K

EC2*

Financial implications and other risks and opportunities for the organization related to climate change

4.66.0

Fully

Also see page 12 of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K

EC3*

Coverage of the organization's defined benefit plan obligations

Tyson Foods 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K

Fully

See pages 66-69 of Tyson Foods 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K

EC4*

Significant financial assistance received from government

GRI Index

Fully

The federal general business credits are the significant financial benefits received from the government by Tyson Foods. During fiscal years 2008 and 2009, these credits were reflected as benefits of approximately, $7 million and $13 million, respectively.

EC5

Standard entry level wage compared to local minimum wage

3.2 

Fully


EC6*

Policy, practices, and proportion of spending on locally based suppliers

5.16.3

Fully


EC7*

Procedures for local hiring and proportion of senior management hired from local community

3.2

Fully


EC8*

Development and impact of infrastructure investments and services

3.5 

Fully


EC9

Significant indirect economic impacts

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this non-core indicator.


ENVIRONMENTAL (*=Core Indicator)

GRI Disclosure

Description

Location

Extent Reported

Comments

Environmental DMA


1.1, 1.4, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 6.8



EN1*

Materials used by weight or volume

GRI Index

Fully

We currently do not have data supporting this core indicator. We will evaluate our abilities and various methodologies for collecting and reporting on this data in the long-term future.

EN2*

Percentage of materials used that are recycled input materials

GRI Index

Fully

We currently do not have data supporting this core indicator. We will evaluate our abilities and various methodologies for collecting and reporting on this data in the long-term future.

EN3*

Direct energy consumption by primary energy source

4.6 

Fully


EN4*

Indirect energy consumption by primary source

4.6

Fully


EN5

Energy saved due to conservation and efficiency improvements

4.6

Fully


EN6

Initiatives to provide energy efficient or renewable energy-based products or services

6.5

Fully


EN7

Initiatives to reduce indirect energy consumption and reductions achieved

4.6

Fully


EN8*

Total water withdrawal by source

4.6; GRI Index

Fully

We currently do not have data supporting the "by source" requirement of this core indicator. We will evaluate our abilities to collect and report this data in the near future.

EN9

Water sources significantly affected by withdrawal of water

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this non-core indicator.

EN10

Percentage and total volume of water recycled and reused

4.6

Fully

Tyson Foods' efforts to reduce, reuse, and/or recycle water are presented as the company's water conservation efforts

EN11*

Location and size of land owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas

GRI Index

Fully

After reviewing the regional biodiversity "hotspots" identified by Conservation International, Tyson Foods, at this time, has not identified any of its U.S.-based operations that are in, or adjacent to, legally protected high biodiversity areas. For additional details, please visit Conservation International at http://www.conservation.org/.

EN12*

Description of significant impacts if activities, products, and services on biodiversity in protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas

GRI Index

Fully

See comment for EN11

EN13

Habitats protected or restored

Not Applicable


See comment for EN11

EN14

Strategies, current actions, and future plans for managing impacts on biodiversity

Not Applicable


See comment for EN11

EN15

Number of IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations

Not Applicable


See comment for EN11

EN16*

Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight

4.6 

Fully


EN17*

Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight

4.6 

Fully


EN18

Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reductions achieved

4.66.5

Fully


EN19*

Emissions of ozone depleting substances by weight

GRI Index

Fully

Tyson Foods' emissions of ozone depleting substances (HCFC 134/134a) is approximately 0.00108 million metric tons per year. This is less than 0.018 percent of the company's total air emissions.

EN20*

NOx, SOx, and other significant air emissions by type and weight

4.6; GRI Index

Fully

We currently do not have data supporting the "by weight" requirement of this core indicator. We will evaluate our abilities to collect and report this data in the near future.

EN21*

Total water discharge by quality and destination

GRI Index

Fully

We currently do not have data supporting this core indicator. We will evaluate our abilities to collect and report water discharge by quality and destination data in the near future

EN22*

Total weight of waste by type and disposal method

4.6; GRI Index

Fully

We currently do not have data supporting the "by type and disposal method" requirement of this core indicator. We will evaluate our abilities to collect and report this data in the near future

EN23*

Total number and volume of significant spills

4.6

Fully

Also see Tyson Foods' 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K

EN24

Weight of transported, imported, exported, or treated waste deemed hazardous under the terms of the Basel Convention

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this non-core indicator.

EN25

Identity, size, protected status, and biodiversity value of water bodies and related habitats significantly affected by the reporting organization's discharges of water and runoff

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this non-core indicator.

EN26*

Initiatives to mitigate environmental impacts of products and services

4.6

Fully


EN27*

Percentage of products sold and their packaging materials that are reclaimed by category

4.6 

Fully


EN28*

Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations

4.7 

Fully


EN29

Significant environmental impacts of transporting products and other goods and materials used for the organization's operations, and transporting members of the workforce

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this non-core indicator.

EN30

Total environmental protection expenditures and investments by type

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this non-core indicator.


LABOR PRACTICES (*=Core Indicator)

GRI Disclosure

Description

Location

Extent Reported

Comments

Labor DMA


1.1, 1.4, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.2, 5.3, 5.46.1



LA1*

Workforce by employment type, employment contract, and region

3.2; GRI Index

Fully

We report on total number of employees, whom we call Team Members. Approximately 99 percent of our U.S.- based Team Members serve in full-time positions.

LA2*

Number and rate of employee turnover by age, group, gender, and region

3.2; GRI Index

Fully

We report our turnover rate, but do not break this rate down by age, group, gender, or region. This may be a reporting indicator we further evaluate for reporting capabilities in the long-term future.

LA3

Benefits provided to full-time employees

3.2

Fully


LA4*

Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements

3.2 

Fully


LA5*

Minimum notice period(s) regarding significant operational changes

3.2

Fully


LA6

Percentage of employees represented in formal joint management-worker health and safety committees

3.3

Fully


LA7*

Rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days, and absenteeism, and number of work-related fatalities

3.3 

Fully


LA8*

Education, training, counseling, prevention, and risk control programs in place to assist workforce members, their families, or community members regarding serious disease

3.2; 3.3

Fully


LA9

Health and safety topics covered in formal agreements with trade unions

3.3 

Fully


LA10*

Average hours of training per year per employee by employee category

3.1; 3.2; 3.3; 4.26.1

Fully

We maintain extensive training programs related to key business areas such as food safety, ethics and code of conduct, anti-trust and corruption; workplace safety, animal welfare, employment practices, and environmental protection. At this time, we are not capable of tracking average training hours per employee by category however. This may be a reporting indicator we further evaluate for reporting capabilities in the long-term future.

LA11

Programs for skill management and lifelong learning

3.2; 5.35.4

Fully


LA12

Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews

3.2

Fully


LA13*

Composition of governance bodies and breakdown of employees per category according to gender, age group, minority group membership, etc.

6.1 

Fully


LA14*

Ratio of basic salary of men to women by employee category

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this core indicator.


HUMAN RIGHTS (*=Core Indicator)

GRI Disclosure

Description

Location

Extent Reported

Comments

Human Rights DMA


1.1, 1.4, 3.0, 3.1, 3.23.3



HR1*

Percentage and total number of significant investment agreements that include human rights clauses

GRI Index

Fully

Out investment clauses discuss compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations but do not specifically include human rights clauses.

HR2*

Percentage of significant suppliers and contractors that have undergone screening on human rights

GRI Index

Fully

We currently do not screen our suppliers and contractors on human rights. We are developing a "Supplier Code of Conduct," however, that will set forth supplier and contractor expectations on key business issues such as regulatory compliance, employment practices (including human rights), food safety and quality assurance, workplace health and safety, animal welfare, and environmental protection. We plan to release our Supplier Code of Conduct in the near future.

HR3

Total hours of employee training on policies and procedures concerning aspects of human rights

3.1; 3.2; 3.3

Fully


HR4*

Total number of incidents of discrimination

3.2; GRI Index

Fully

Generally, Tyson Foods does not publicly discuss reported incidents of discrimination. As noted in Section 3.2 of this report however, we consider discrimination to be a serious issue and invest considerable resources to prevent its occurrence. Moreover, we fully investigate each allegation of discrimination and, if necessary, implement corrective. Alleged incidents of discrimination resulting in state or federal court filings are generally a matter of public record. While state and federal databases may be subject to a subscription or search fee, these records can typically be accessed within the respective court system via the Internet.

HR5*

Operations identified in which the right to exercise freedom of association and collective bargaining may be at significant risk

3.2

Fully


HR6*

Operations identified as having significant risk for incidents of child labor

3.2 

Fully


HR7*

Operations identified as having significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor

3.2 

Fully


HR8

Percentage of security personnel trained in the organization's policies or procedures concerning aspects of human rights

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this non-core indicator.

HR9

Total number of violation incidents involving rights of indigenous people

3.2

Fully



SOCIETY (*=Core Indicator)

GRI Disclosure

Description

Location

Extent Reported

Comments

Social DMA





SO1*

Nature, scope, and effectiveness of any programs and practices that assess and manage the impact of operations on communities

3.5 

Fully


SO2*

Percentage and total number of business units analyzed for risks related to corruption

6.1 

Fully


SO3*

Percentage of employees trained in the organization's anti-corruption policies and procedures

6.1 

Fully


SO4*

Actions taken in response to incidents of corruption

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this core indicator

SO5*

Public policy positions and participation in public policy development and lobbying

6.76.8

Fully


SO6

Total value of financial and in-kind contributions to political parties, politicians, and related institutions

6.7

Fully


SO7

Total number of legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this non-core indicator.

SO8*

Value of significant fines and total of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with laws and regulations

3.3; 4.7; GRI Index


For this indicator, Tyson Foods defines significant as fines equal to or greater than $500,000 dollars. Two specific fines equal to or greater than this amount are presented in sections 3.3 and 4.7 of this report. Tyson Foods, at this time, has not identified any other fines paid during fiscal years 2008 and 2009 equal to or greater than this amount.


PRODUCT RESPONSIBILITY (*=Core Indicator)

GRI Disclosure

Description

Location

Extent Reported

Comments

Product Responsibility DMA





PR1*

Life cycle stages in which health and safety impacts of products and services are assessed for improvement

5.1; 5.35.4

Fully


PR2

Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning health and safety

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this non-core indicator.

PR3*

Types of products and service information required by procedures

5.25.4

Fully


PR4

Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning product and service information and labeling

5.1

Fully


PR5

Practices related to customer satisfaction

5.2; 5.3; 5.4

Fully


PR6*

Programs for adherence to laws, standards, and voluntary codes related to marketing communications

5.5 

Fully


PR7

Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning marketing communications

5.5

Fully


PR8

Total number of substantiated complaints regarding breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data

Not Reported


We currently do not report on this non-core indicator.

PR9*

Value of significant fines for non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and use of products and services

GRI Index

Fully

We did not incur any fines for non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and use of our products during fiscal years 2008 and 2009.