March 12, 2008

FSIS issues two new notices on humane handling of livestock

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued two new notices to ensure humane handling of livestock in slaughterhouses.

The first notice provides additional information on how inspectors should document Humane Activities Tracking System (HATS) activities.

The notice specifically asks for immediate action on any inhumane handling or noncompliance to all standards set by the FSIS.

The second notice announced that as of March 10, inspection personnel assigned to inspect livestock slaughterhouses are to increase the time spent verifying humane handling regulatory requirements and document those verification activities in HATS.

Inspection personnel are to increase their HATS activities from 50 to 100 percent, depending on the type of livestock being slaughtered.

Increased HATS activities will continue until May 6, 2008.