Protect Workers and Animals from Dangerous Slaughter Speeds

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA and the White House have given in to industry pressure to raise or eliminate maximum speed rules for meat processing plants, reducing important protections for workers and animals by allowing facilities to slaughter chickens, pigs, and cattle at extreme speeds.

High-speed processing increases risks to animals, workers, and food safety under normal circumstances, and especially during the current pandemic. Workers are forced to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to manage the pace and are at even greater risk of serious injury. Animals are at higher risk of entering the processing line without being properly stunned, and inspectors cannot sufficiently monitor for signs of disease.

Several legislators have introduced the Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act (H.R. 7521/S. 4338), which would prohibit plants from operating at extreme speeds during the pandemic and direct the Government Accountability Office to review USDA's actions.

You can make a difference for animals and workers. Use the form to email your representatives and senators, urging them to support H.R. 7521/S.4338. Your congress members need to know that protecting animals, workers, and food safety should be a top priority now and always.

If your legislators have signed on to co-sponsor the bill, filling out the form will send them a "thank you" message