CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec

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Crimes Without ConsequenCes
Finding #6:
A review of federal enforcement documents indicates serious inconsistencies
in the manner in which humane handling and slaughter violations are handled
between plants. Slaughter operations were suspended in some cases for failure to
provide water to animals in pens, while in other instances officials failed to take
action against plants found to be repeatedly butchering conscious animals. Serious
inconsistencies were also noted in the manner in which humane handling and
slaughter violations were handled between USDA-FSIS districts. During the past
decade, one FSIS district covering only 32 plants issued 15 suspensions, while
another district covering 139 plants issued just four suspensions.
Recommendation:
USDA headquarters must routinely review the enforcement records of FSIS district
offices and provide enforcement guidelines to ensure strong, consistent application
of the federal humane slaughter law.
11.3 Federal Enforcement in Foreign Plants
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Finding #7:
The USDA does not routinely consider humane slaughter laws and their
enforcement in reviewing foreign country eligibility for exporting meat and meat
products to the United States. In inspecting foreign slaughter establishments, the
USDA cites very few deficiencies of humane standards compared with the far larger
number of citations made for food safety lapses.
Recommendation:
The USDA should review foreign country humane slaughter laws in determining
eligibility for meat export to the United States and routinely review humane
handling and slaughter practices when inspecting foreign establishments for
compliance with the equivalent of U.S. humane slaughter regulations.
11.4 State Laws
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Finding #8:
The federal humane slaughter law and its regulations cover animals slaughtered in
state-inspected establishments in all 50 states. However, because only 30 states have
passed humane slaughter legislation, and not all species of animals killed for food
are covered under these laws, a number of animals remain unprotected. In addition,
animals killed on the farm are usually exempt from humane slaughter requirements,
and slaughter practices at custom exempt establishments are not routinely
monitored.
Recommendation:
States should enact humane slaughter legislation protecting all species of animals
killed for food at all locations, including at custom establishments and on the farm.
Penalties provided in existing humane slaughter laws should be strengthened.
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