Earlier this year, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) finalized a new rule that strikes down vital regulations on pig slaughter speeds. This move could spell disaster for animals and humans alike: Not only would they force slaughterhouse workers to operate in increasingly hazardous environments, but faster slaughter lines are directly linked to rougher handling of pigs, increased use of painful electric prodding—and even worse, more pigs scalded in hot water while still fully conscious.
What’s more, the new rule would task slaughter plant workers with sorting diseased pigs instead of the highly-trained inspectors who do it now. That could mean more dangerous outbreaks of foodborne disease...and more families at risk.
Use our form to contact your U.S. representative and tell them that the final 2020 budget must include language to block funding for this dangerous disregard for animal welfare and consumer safety!
When this USDA proposed this new rule, we alerted you…and you sent the agency messages by the thousands. But despite public outcry, the USDA decided to move forward, anyway—they even sent us a letter in response to our campaign with the same tired, industry-approved talking points they’ve been peddling from the start. Notably, the letter made absolutely no mention of animal welfare.
The USDA wants the pork industry to police itself, at the expense of animals, workers, and the families who trust the government to keep their food safe—but there’s still time to stop them. Contact your U.S. representative now!
