This is good. It is a human obligation—and a proper role of government—to ensure that our food animals are slaughtered humanely. There are rules and regulations in this regard and USDA inspectors at slaughter houses to maintain proper standards.
Apparently, the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company has violated its obligations to the law and the animals it processes. The Food Safety and Inspection Service has shut down Hallmark/Westland’s operations. From the USDA news release:
This isn’t a slap on the wrist but sanctions with real punch. The meatpacker is making no money because it isn’t processing meat. Such enforcement actions are important and in keeping with our human obligation to treat animals humanely.On Feb. 4, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) suspended inspection at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company based on the establishment’s clear violation of Federal regulations and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. This Notice of Suspension is a regulatory course of action available when FSIS finds egregious violations of humane handling regulations.
At the time allegations were revealed on Jan. 30, the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company voluntarily stopped operations on Feb. 1. The USDA suspension will remain in effect and the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company will not be allowed to operate until written corrective actions are submitted and verified
by FSIS to ensure that animals are humanely handled.
