U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has introduced new guidance—FSIS Compliance Guide for a Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock—to support the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Proper implementation of this guidance will better ensure the humane treatment of livestock presented for slaughter, as it provides establishments a set of practices that will assist them in minimizing excitement, discomfort and accidental injury.
"We have taken significant measures over the last few years to strengthen our ability to enforce humane handling laws at livestock slaughter facilities nationwide," said FSIS Administrator Al Almanza. "The guidance is one example of our commitment to the humane treatment of animals. We continue to implement improvements so that we have the best system possible."