‘Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection’ Rule Would Eviscerate Inspections: Experts
A sweeping rule sent to the White House by the U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this month would eviscerate the poultry inspection standards that currently protect consumers from tainted chicken and turkey, many experts say.
Euphemistically called the “Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection” rule, the statute would speed up processing lines and reduce the number of inspectors overseeing their operation, while simultaneously handing key inspection duties over to poultry companies’ employees.But rather than improving slaughterhouse practices in the service of public health, the changes proposed under the rule are actually “a prescription for disaster” that would lead to higher incidences of salmonella and other pathogens, according to Jaydee Hanson, senior policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety.
The U.S. poultry inspection regime currently in place would be almost completely overhauled under the rule, which Hanson and other advocates like Food & Water Watch senior lobbyist Tony Corbo believe is on track to be fully approved without further public input in the near future -- perhaps as early as this week, according to Corbo.
“You’re reducing the number of USDA inspectors in those plants on the slaughter line and turning those responsibilities over to the companies’ employees to perform, and that’s an inherent conflict of interest there,” Corbo said. “That’s self-regulation. You’re not going to get company employees slowing down or stopping the production lines when they see problems. They’re getting paid to keep the lines going.”
http://www.ibtimes.com/modernization-poultry-slaughter-inspection-rule-would-eviscerate-inspections-experts-1636158
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