Humane Handling Guidance From FSIS

February 25, 2005 -- The Food Safety and Inspection Service issued additional guidance for humane handling verification activities. All inspection program personnel are responsible for ensuring that animals are humanely handled and treated at all times.

Non-compliances involving injury or inhumane treatment that is cruel to animals or a condition that is ignored and leads to the harm of animals are to be reported. Some of the humane-handling activities addressed include: adequate measures for inclement weather; truck unloading; water and feed availability; handling of suspect and disabled animals; stunning effectiveness; and check for conscious animals.

The notice can be viewed on-line at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Notice_12-05/index.asp.