The Petition

The meat industry is pushing for dangerous deregulation of our nation's already inadequate inspection system. This would remove critical oversight and allow slaughterhouses to essentially police themselves—with devastating consequences for animals and public health. Why this matters:

• Greater suffering: The USDA has already approved alarming increases in slaughter line speeds, forcing workers to process up to 175 birds per minute—nearly 3 animals every second. This breakneck pace makes it impossible to ensure humane handling, putting both animals and humans at risk.
• Replacing experts with industry workers: Federal inspectors with proper training are being replaced by slaughterhouse employees who lack qualifications and face pressure to prioritize production over welfare concerns.
• Conflict of interest: Allowing the industry to "self-inspect" creates an inherent conflict between profit and protection. Companies shouldn't regulate themselves when animals and public health are at stake.
• Reduced accountability: Deregulation means less transparency and fewer consequences for violations of humane handling and food safety regulations.

Your signature matters. Join Animal Outlook in demanding the USDA stop further weakening of federal oversight and instead work to improve a system that already fails to adequately protect animals and consumers. We need better protections, not fewer.

Add your name today.