Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 2/4/11

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued FSIS Notice 06-11: Humane Handling at All Entrances and the 28-Hour Law. The notice reissues the content of Notice 06-10.

The notice instructs inspectors to verify that establishments using secondary (or alternative) entrances or pathways to move livestock to slaughter are compliant with the statutory and regulatory requirements for livestock facilities, equipment used to handle livestock and other handling and driving practices.

Secondary entrances or pathways are considered to be potential routes of movement to slaughter that differ from the route that the normal livestock population (ante-mortem inspected and passed livestock) follows.

This notice also addresses the 28-Hour Law, under which transporters are required to stop to provide animals with food, water and rest. Transporters who have deprived livestock of food, water or rest for more than 28 hours have violated the law, the notice states.

FSIS said it reissued the notice in response to concerns about establishments’ use of entrances or equipment and a petition for FSIS to provide inspectors with instructions related to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 28-Hour Law.

To view this notice, click here.