Government Accountability Office Says USDA Inconsistent, Weak In Enforcing Humane Slaughter Law

An inspector with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service testified before Congress that USDA officials not only overturned his recommendations in enforcing the act, but agreed with slaughter plants. 

This is a legacy of the Bush USDA:

Call for Stronger Enforcement of the Humane Slaughter Act
P. Scott Shearer • National Hog Farmer

The House Domestic Policy Subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing concerning the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) report on USDA actions need to strengthen enforcement of Human Methods of Slaughter Act. The report indicates that USDA inspectors have been inconsistent in their reporting of humane handling violations. GAO recommends stronger enforcement of the act, including establishing “clear and specific” criteria for suspending plant operations, improving standards for compliance, and more closely examining noncompliance reports.” An inspector with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) testified that USDA officials not only overturned his recommendations in enforcing the act, but agreed with slaughter plants. 

[Hat Tip: Nachos.]

Comments

[harold]

As I said in another post. Here is where ethical standards for animal and workers treatment should be defined and enforced - at the federal level. Good for them! Silly to make it an only kosher requirement with another level of certification.