|
NCC takes issue with report critical of poultry worker conditions
Story Date: 3/18/2013
| |
Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 3/15/13
The National Chicken Council issued a statement contesting many of the claims in a recent report from the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice that was critical of poultry worker conditions.
“It’s unfortunate that the claims raised in this report are simply not grounded in facts, especially as they relate to USDA’s proposal to modernize poultry inspection,” the NCC statement countered, noting USDA inspectors have the ability to slow or stop lines when necessary.
The NCC also pointed to a decline in nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in the poultry sector, based on Department of Labor statistics.
The total recordable poultry processing illness and injury rate for 2011 was 5.8 cases per 100 full-time workers (per year), down from 5.9 in 2010 and down 74 percent since 1994.
In terms of injuries per 100 full time workers, the poultry industry’s rate of 5.8 was below the rate of 6.4 for all animal slaughter and processing and only slightly above the rate of 5.6 for the entire food manufacturing sector.
USDA line speed proposal
USDA is proposing to modernize its poultry inspection system based on a pilot program running in 20 chicken plants since 1999 that has been studied, debated and reviewed thoroughly to determine the most effective way to modernize the system.
There is no evidence in the pilot program over the past 15 years to substantiate the assertion that increased line speeds will increase injuries, according to NCC, noting that employees working in second processing, such as cutters and deboners, would not be affected at all. Line speeds in those areas would not be increased as a result of this program. The rule would affect first processing and evisceration, which today are largely automated.
For more stories, go to http://www.meatingplace.com/.
|
|
|
|
