The USDA is considering proposals that would increase line speeds at chicken slaughterhouses from 140 to 175 birds per minute and at pig facilities to unlimited speeds. That’s nearly 3 birds killed every second.
Animal Outlook is joining forces with leading organizations to fight this deregulation for chickens and pigs—and we’re taking this all the way.
Why this matters:
The industry wants to run faster kill lines without proving they can maintain basic protections. Slaughterhouses with documented violations of humane handling laws would be allowed to speed up operations with zero additional safeguards.
At 175 birds per minute, inspectors can’t effectively identify sick or injured animals. Birds miss the stunner and enter scalding tanks while still conscious. Equipment designed for slower speeds breaks down faster. And facilities that were denied line speed waivers due to violations would now automatically qualify.
This isn’t about efficiency—it’s about profit margins at the expense of everyone else.
The human cost is real too:
Slaughterhouse workers already face some of the most dangerous conditions in American industry. Faster lines mean more injuries, more exposure to antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and more pressure to cut corners. These workers—and their families—deserve better.
Our legal team has spent years building the case against slaughter deregulation. We’ve submitted detailed technical comments, compiled violation records, partnered with food safety experts, and have taken up this fight in the courts. Because animals deserve more than a system where companies grade their own homework. Workers deserve safe conditions. And the public deserves food safety standards that actually mean something.
This fight matters. And we’re not backing down. 💪
Want to support this work? Our legal and investigative teams depend on people who believe animals deserve real protection, not just industry PR.