The USDA has pursued a dangerous Trump-era program that will allow a number of pork processing plants to increase their “line” or “process” speeds. This means more animals will be slaughtered and prepared for human consumption per minute – to the detriment of worker and animal welfare.
The added pressure on people working in slaughterhouses to work at excessive speeds makes them more susceptible to major injuries. It also makes non-compliance with animal welfare laws more likely. This can lead to rude and abusive handlingfrequent use of electric pods, sloppy stunning and careless slaughter which can make CONSCIOUS animals feel unbearable pain.
These farm animals are already terrified and vulnerable. Raising the potential for increased abuse due to dangerous line speeds is inhumane and cruel. Please, Trish, protect worker safety and prevent animal cruelty by signing the petition against increased line speeds.
Meat factories are already considered an extremely dangerous work environment. Having to increase the speed of the lines adds additional stress to these workers and puts them at much more risk of accidents and injuries.
Animals and factory workers in slaughterhouses aren’t the only ones whose safety is compromised by increased line speeds. Public health and food safety are also at risk when workers are forced to rush. Studies have shown that slaughterhouses operating at higher speeds contained higher rates of fecal and digestive contamination.
The faster the lines run, the more waste the plant machinery releases, leading to increased air pollution and more agricultural runoff dumped into the ocean.
The negative effects of increased line speeds in meat plants are considerable, and it affects ALL of us. This is why your urgent action is needed to persuade the USDA to reverse this Trump hold policy. Add your name now to tell the USDA to prioritize worker safety and animal welfare over Big Ag profits.
Thanks for taking action,
Friends of the Earth
