FSIS Issues New Guidance on Humane Handling Practices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has developed new guidance, titled “FSIS Compliance Guide for a Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock,” that outlines a set of practices for livestock slaughter establishments that support the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.

Noting that the agency has taken “significant” measures during the past few years to strengthen its ability to enforce humane handling laws at livestock slaughter facilities nationwide, FSIS Administrator Al Almanza said that the guidance will assist facilities in “minimizing excitement, discomfort and accidental injury” of animals presented for slaughter.

FSIS has also reiterated its intent to better equip employees to prevent and respond to inhumane handling incidents by delivering “more practical, situation-based humane handling training to inspectors and veterinarians who verify and enforce humane handling requirements at livestock slaughter establishments.” The training covers various realistic animal-handling scenarios that employees may encounter, including truck unloading, stunning and post-stunning, noted an FSIS statement. See FSIS News Release, October 23, 2013.