Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 9/17/19


USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has denied the petition submitted on behalf of the Farm Sanctuary and various other animal welfare advocacy organizations requesting that the agency amend its ante-mortem inspection regulations to require that all non-ambulatory disabled (NAD) pigs be condemned and promptly euthanized.

The petition stated that the action is needed to enhance food safety, to better ensure humane handling of NAD pigs, and to improve inspector efficiency at swine slaughter establishments.

FSIS stated, “After carefully considering the issues raised in the petition, and the referenced information and other letters received in support of the petition, FSIS has concluded that its existing regulations and inspection procedures are sufficient and effective in ensuring that NAD pigs are handled humanely at slaughter and in preventing diseased animals from entering the human food supply. Thus, for the reasons discussed below, the Agency is denying the petition.”

Read the full response here.

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