Profits, YES! - Your Safety, NO!

A new regulation is coming up for discussion and in the US Congress that would increase private industry profits – at the expense of YOUR HEALTH!

It is a new proposed rule entitled:

Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection

Increase corporate profit – put the health of Americans at risk –

Sounds like American Legislative Exchange Council "model legislation" to me!

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elizabeth Hagen held a press conference on January 20, 2012 where they discussed a proposed modernization of poultry slaughter inspection methods.

REMEMBER:  Vilsack is part of the Federal ALEC ALUMNI group!!!

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A Little Background

USDA is proposing an expansion of the pilot to all poultry slaughter plants, and forecasts that over three years this change will save $90 million through the elimination over 800 inspector positions.

This regulatory noncompliance would potentially allow for the cross contamination of necks by digestive contents material such as ingesta and/or feces.”

poultry plants will be able to increase their production line speeds to 175 birds per minute

compared to 35 birds per minute for which each USDA inspector is responsible

“Based on the data coming out of the plants where this privatized inspection scheme is already in place, it is unacceptable for USDA to try to expand this program to more plants,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch

In the name of budget-cutting, more defective and unsanitary poultry contaminated with feathers, bile and feces could make its way to consumers if the USDA’s controversial pilot project for privatized inspection in poultry slaughter plants is expanded.

Poultry plants involved in the HIMP pilot have been granted line speed waivers. Some plants in the pilot have operated at line speeds upwards of 200 birds per minute, compared to 35 birds per minute for which each USDA inspector is responsible for in plants receiving conventional inspection.

According to a peer-reviewed risk assessment,   …  and be a $250 million boost to poultry companies, which will be able to crank up line speeds and process birds at a faster pace,  ... 

During the appropriations hearing, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) questioned Under Secretary Elisabeth Hagen about the proposed rule. 

"I really am concerned about this transition to HIMP," said DeLauro. "I'm trying to get some sense of what this means ... because the descriptions from some of the inspectors already looking at what's happening and not happening, and I can get that to you, about what they're finding: fecal matter, and this is prior to going to the the chiller... what they're finding feathers, bile, etc. is pretty gross."

The FY 2012 appropriations bill promoted by the House Republican majority proposes to cut funding for the nation’s meat and poultry inspection program for the second year in a row. Major reductions in this essential public health program and shifting responsibility for overseeing safety of food from USDA inspectors to company employees are likely to increase the risk that more Americans will get sick from consuming contaminated meat and poultry products.

Congress should reject efforts to expand HIMP and should protect funding for the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

And I agree!

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What you can do:

You can comment on this proposed change but you must do it before

Comment Due:  Apr 26, 2012 11:59 PM ET

Go to this webpage

Upper right hand corner – a blue comment box.

Your comment could look something like this:

USDA inspectors receive extensive training to protect public health in poultry facilities, but there is no similar requirement for company employees to receive training before they assume these inspection responsibilities in the proposed privatized inspection system.  The USDA’s proposal to shift this public health responsibility to company employees is a budget-cutting maneuver that puts consumers at risk.

Major reductions in this essential public health program and shifting responsibility for overseeing safety of food from USDA inspectors to company employees are likely to increase the risk that more Americans will get sick from consuming contaminated meat and poultry products.

Congress should reject efforts to expand HIMP and should protect funding for the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Also contact your US congressional members – your senators and house members.

You need your nine digit zip code to use this webpage  00000-0000

As a reminder:

This entry is what happens when we let private industry regulate themselves.

REMEMBER

Federal employees serve the public.

Private company employees serve the shareholder!