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Plant workers warn on hog inspection proposal
Story Date: 5/4/2018
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Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 5/3/18
More than 6,500 hog plant workers have asked the Agriculture Department to reconsider a proposed rule that would increase slaughterhouse line speeds.
The workers - members of the United Food and Commercial Workers union - submitted their comments on Wednesday in opposition to the proposed rule, which they argue could endanger their safety. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service's comment period for the proposed rule wrapped up on Wednesday, after a 30-day extension at the request of various consumer and industry groups.
Marc Perrone, international president of the UFCW, said faster line speeds would result in more injuries for workers and less-safe food for consumers.
"We urge the USDA to hear their voices and rewrite this rule so that the people who work in pork plants and the millions they serve can all be kept safe," he said.
Refresher on the rule: In January, the FSIS proposed plans that would allow companies the choice to opt into a new inspection system. The rule, first considered under the Obama administration, would lift a cap on slaughterhouse line speeds and transfer more routine line inspections to slaughterhouse employees.
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