Petitions for Rulemaking and Complaints

The Animal Welfare Institute works to secure protections for animals in agriculture by engaging with federal administrative agencies through petitions for rulemaking and complaints made pursuant to federal regulations.

On-Farm Practices

Petition to APHIS to Amend Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Compensation Regulations June 2023

Marketing

Letter to USDA in Support of Perdue Farms Pasture Raised Petition (Revised) August 2023
Follow up Letter to FTC on Boar’s Head Complaint December 2021
Complaint to FTC re: Deceptive Advertising on Boar’s Head Simplicity All Natural Turkey Products February 2021
Complaint to FTC re: Deceptive Advertising on Boar’s Head Chicken Sausage Products February 2021
Petition to USDA for Clarification of the Free Range Claim (Interim Agency Response) (Final Agency Response) January 2016
Petition to USDA for Third-Party Certification for the Approval of Animal Welfare and Environmental Stewardship Claims (Agency Response) May 2014

Transport

Petition to APHIS to Adopt Domestic Fitness for Transport Regulations for Vulnerable Animals March 2024
Petition to USDA on Fitness of Exported Animals (USDA Response) February 2011

Slaughter

Petition to FSIS to Require Video Cameras in CO2 Gas Slaughter Systems May 2023
Petition to USDA on Humane Handling Oversight at Custom-Exempt Slaughter Establishments January 2023
Petition to USDA to Prohibit the Slaughter of Nonambulatory Disabled Pigs (Agency Response) June 2014
Petition to USDA on Humane Handling of Poultry
Letter Addendum to Petition to Address Abandonment of Birds at Poultry Slaughter Establishments (Agency Response)		 December 2013
Petition to USDA on Enforcement of the Humane Slaughter Law (Exhibits to Petition) (Agency Response) May 2013
Petition to USDA on Enforcement of the Humane Slaughter Law (Agency Response) August 2010