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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
by
Thomas J. Billy, Administrator
Food Safety and Inspection Service
In Response to the Humane Farming Association
June 22, 2001
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and its Food Safety and Inspection Service do not condone inhumane treatment of animals brought to slaughter. FSIS inspectors and veterinarians nationwide care about humane slaughter and enforce humane slaughter requirements every day.
USDA and FSIS take very seriously any violations of humane animal handling and humane slaughter regulations. We have taken and will continue to take strong enforcement action against slaughter plants that fail to follow humane handling and slaughter requirements. For rare, isolated incidents to be portrayed as commonplace is untruthful and misleading.
Videotapes by the Humane Farming Association were discredited after a team of federal and Washington State officials conducted a complete investigation into humane slaughter violations at a Washington State slaughter plant. The investigation concluded the HFA deleted footage from the video showing corrective actions taking place if an animal is not properly stunned. Additionally, a prosecuting attorney in Washington State, who was asked to review the investigation results to determine if any criminal charges should be filed, instead concluded that the unedited videotape demonstrated HFA’s intent to promote a particular agenda through the edited tape, such that all evidence developed by HFA was discredited. The Washington State report can be accessed at http://www.wa.gov/agr/IBP/home.htm.
FSIS inspectors stop the production line if they see any violations of humane slaughter regulations. We expect them to do so. FSIS veterinarians and inspectors have access to animal handling and slaughter areas, and are required to take action against violations. Contrary to HFA statements, inspectors will not be fired for performing a required responsibility – including enforcement of humane handling and slaughter laws.
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For Further Information, Contact:
FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 690-0460