In January, AWI submitted a petition for policy change in response to the US Department of Agriculture’s consistent failure to respond to animal welfare violations at custom-exempt slaughter facilities, resulting in animals being beaten, held in deplorable conditions, and deprived of food and water for extended periods. Custom-exempt plants slaughter animals for anyone who wants meat for personal use and are excused from continuous inspection—unlike facilities subject to federal or state inspection, where government officials are on the premises whenever slaughter is being conducted.
The petition calls on the USDA to revise its directive on custom-exempt slaughter to better protect animals, report suspected animal cruelty to state authorities, and close loopholes that allow facilities suspended for egregious humane handling violations to continue slaughtering animals under their custom status.