Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 3/19/18



Attorneys for the animal rights group Mercy for Animals are considering their options now that USDA officials have rejected the group’s petition seeking more animal handling protection for chickens and turkeys sent to slaughter.

The group in November asked USDA to include poultry under the 1958 Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, which punishes processors who are found to abuse or neglect hogs and cattle when slaughtered. USDA’s Office of Food Safety noted in its recent ruling that poultry is already protected by other regulations that protect birds during the slaughter process.

Mercy for Animals called the USDA rejection “shameful,” claiming live-action shackling of poultry can lead to increased fecal contamination of meat, higher injury rates among plant workers and can leave birds conscious while their throats are slit during slaughter. The group said in a statement on its website it plans to “pursue all available legal options” to overturn the USDA decision.

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