CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec
CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec
CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec
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history of u.s. humane slaughter initiatives<br />
The USDA issues inspection system procedure (ISP) code for humane<br />
handling and slaughter violations to be used in citing plants for<br />
violations of regulatory requirements. 45<br />
HFA, along with AWI, the National Joint Council of Food Inspection<br />
Locals, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals<br />
(ASPCA), the Government Accountability Project, the Humane<br />
Society of the United States (HSUS), the Physician’s Committee for<br />
Responsible Medicine, and Public Citizen, files rulemaking petition<br />
with the USDA, requesting remedy for humane slaughter violations<br />
at U.S. slaughterhouses—specifically that the USDA (1) permanently<br />
station inspectors at critical locations, (2) require inspectors stop<br />
slaughter operations when humane violations are observed, and (3)<br />
adopt “whistleblower” regulations to protect workers who report<br />
humane violations. 46<br />
Burger King announces it will require meat suppliers to comply with<br />
humane slaughter standards and will begin suppler audits in late 2001.<br />
Company also submits petition to the USDA, requesting increased<br />
enforcement of humane slaughter law. 47<br />
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and National Council of Chain<br />
Restaurants (NCCR) form an alliance to address care and handling of<br />
animals used for food. These food industry trade associations eventually<br />
accept AMI humane handling/slaughter standards for livestock and<br />
National Chicken Council (NCC) standards for meat chickens. 48<br />
2002 The USDA creates 17 new veterinary positions, originally called<br />
“Humane Handling Verification Experts/Liaisons.” The majority of<br />
their time is spent on tasks unrelated to humane slaughter –contrary<br />
to the purpose of the funding secured by Senator Byrd. The USDA<br />
changes their title to “District Veterinary Medical Specialists.” 49,50<br />
Congress approves 2002 Farm Act that includes resolution expressing<br />
that the USDA should fully enforce federal humane slaughter law and<br />
report number of violations to Congress annually. 51<br />
45 USDA-FSIS, ISP procedure code for humane slaughter, FSIS Notice 43-01, October 11, 2001.<br />
46 Petition to USDA can be accessed at http://www.hfa.org/hot_topic/usda_petition.html.<br />
47 For a discussion of Burger King’s and other fast food retailers’ animal welfare auditing programs, see Farm<br />
Sanctuary, Farm animal welfare: an assessment of product labeling claims, industry quality assurance guidelines<br />
and third party certification standards, 2005. (http://www.farmsanctuary.org/campaign/FAWS_Report.pdf)<br />
48 For information about the FMI-NCCR animal welfare auditing program, see http://www.fmi.org/animal_<br />
welfare/.<br />
49 USDA-FSIS, New FSIS veterinary positions to oversee humane slaughter and handling issues (news release),<br />
February 1, 2002. (http://fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/2002_News_Releases/index.asp)<br />
50 HFA and AWI, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) fact sheet, 2004, p. 2.<br />
51 P.L. 107-171, H.Rept. 107-424. See also Becker G, Meat and poultry inspection: background and selected<br />
issues, Congressional Research Service, December 12, 2005.<br />
25