Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 8/13/18


The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) alleges in a letter sent to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service that live poultry is routinely mistreated during transportation and processing, the organization said in a news release.

AWI said it had identified “more than 50” occasions since 2016, “in which birds were knowingly neglected or abandoned during transport or at the slaughterhouse,” it said in the release. “Many of these incidents appear to violate state animal cruelty laws,” AWI added.

Examples of mistreatment, AWI said, included birds loaded in high temperatures without the use of fans or misters, birds transported in low temperatures without covers on the trucks, birds held at the slaughterhouse without protection from extreme heat or cold, and birds held for slaughter for extended periods without food, water and adequate shelter.

AWI also noted six occasions between 2013 and 2015 in which large numbers of birds died while being held for extended periods. AWI claimed FSIS ignored its obligations to take action on these events.

“AWI is asking the USDA to prevent the needless suffering of animals destined for slaughter, and to issue letters of concern recommending that state officials investigate the incidents in question for possible violations of state animal cruelty statutes,” the release said.

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