CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec

enforCement of federal laW in foreign Plants
slaughter conditions and procedures. Three of the deficiencies were cited in the body
of the 2004-2005 audits and four were noted as having occurred during previous audits
conducted in the years 2000 through 2003. No humane deficiencies whatsoever were
noted in 33 foreign country audits conducted in 2006 and 2007.
Following are the foreign country humane handling and slaughter deficiencies cited by
the FSIS in its 2004-2005 audit reports (some deficiencies occurred in previous years, as
noted in the paragraph above):
Brazil—At
one establishment, no water was provided to animals held in the
suspect pen (August 2003 audit). 178
Costa Rica—In
the animal holding pen at one establishment, a one-foot high
cement barrier was identified as a potential trip hazard for animals (June 2004
audit); no water was provided to animals in holding pens at two establishments
(September 2003 audit). 179
Honduras—In
one of two establishments, the holding pen for cattle had
numerous bolts protruding from the wall into the pen, presenting a potential
safety hazard to animals (October 2005 audit). 180
Mexico—For
two of three cattle observed, more than one application of the
captive bolt device was required to render the animals insensible (November
2004 audit). 181
Poland—In
one establishment, hogs were not properly stunned prior to being
shackled, hoisted, thrown or cut (November to December 2003 audit). 182
Slovakia—In
one establishment, hogs were not properly stunned prior to being
shackled, hoisted, thrown or cut (June 2000 audit). 183
The small number of cited deficiencies of humane standards compared with the far larger
number cited for food safety suggests that either foreign certified establishments are
much better at animal welfare than they are at food safety, or that the FSIS makes little
effort to observe and/or cite humane conditions and procedures. When the FSIS Office
of International Affairs was questioned regarding the small number of deficiencies cited
178 USDA-FSIS, Office of International Affairs, Final report of an audit carried out in Brazil covering Brazil’s
meat inspection system, August 26 to September 28, 2004. (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/FAR/Brazil/
Brazil2004.pdf)
179 Costa Rica also cited for one establishment found to be slaughtering non-ambulatory disabled cattle. USDA-
FSIS, Office of International Affairs, Final report of an enforcement audit covering Costa Rica’s meat inspection
system, June 8 to June 17, 2004. (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/FAR/CostaRica/CostaRica2004.pdf)
180 USDA-FSIS, Office of International Affairs, Final report of an audit carried out in Honduras covering
Honduras’ meat inspection system, October 18 to October 28, 2005. (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/FAR/
Honduras/HondurasOct2005.pdf)
181 USDA-FSIS, Office of International Affairs, Final report of an audit carried out in Mexico covering Mexico’s
meat inspection system, November 3 to November 18, 2004. (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/FAR/Mexico/
MexicoNov04.pdf)
182 USDA-FSIS, Office of International Affairs, Final report of an enforcement audit covering Poland’s meat
inspection system, July 14 to August 6, 2004. (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/FAR/Poland/Poland2004.pdf)
183 USDA-FSIS, Office of International Affairs, Final report of an audit carried out in Slovakia covering
Slovakia’s meat inspection system, October 19 to October 25, 2005. (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/FAR/
Slovakia/SlovakiaOct2005.pdf)
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