安全保护组将USDA接至需求车辆Inside CO2 Stunning Areas of Pig Slaughter Plants
Still from video by Direct Action Everywhere
Washington，DC—Today，animal protection groups submitted a rulemakingpetitionto the US Department of Agriculture to require pig slaughter plants to install cameras inside gondola cages used in carbon dioxide stunning systems.The petitioners are the Animal Welfare Institute，Compassion in World Farming，the Humane Society of the United States，Humane Society Legislative Fund，Humane Society Assier tion，and World Animal Protection。
不稳定的90%的额定功率CO2gas，and recent undercover investigations in the统一状态and，andAustraliahave documented extensive suffering during this process，including pigs screaming，gasping，thrashing，and convulsing before collapsing in steel cages.As a result，more than100USveterinarians have joined in aletterto the American Veterinary Medical Association，expressing concerns about pigs’aversive reaction to the gas。
Moreover，renowned animal scientist Dr.Temple Grandin has long called for the use ofvideo camerasto observe pigs while they are being stunned or killed with CO2gas。
目前，美国government inspectors are unable to determine wherer pork-producing slaughter plants usingCO2（HMSA）because-unlike with pre-slaughter stunning by electric current or captive bolt-inspectors are unable to observe animals after they are lowered into theCO2chamber。
“Inexplicably，the use of CO2 gas appears to be the only approved slaughter method that plant inspectors are not able to directly observe，“the petitioners wrote。
“Since pigs represent the largest percentage of mammals that fall under the HMSA，the USDA is failing to enforce the nation’s sole humane slaughter law for a large majority of the animals killed for food in our country，”said Zack Strong，senior attorney for the farmed animal program at the Animal Welfare Institute.“By granting our petition，department will be able to determine if it has been missing a significant number of humane slaughter violations by not observingCO2stunning.”
In preparation for slaughter，pigs are typically driven into a gondola and exposed to increasing concentrations of CO2 as they descend to the bottom of a pit.The process can take several minutes，and multiple factors affect how long it takes for the animal to lose consciousness，including the specificentration of，the speed of the conveyor，and a pig’s age，sex，and genetics。
The HMSA mandates that all animals be rendered insensible to pain by a method that is rapid and effective before being shackled，hoisted，or cut。CO2-specific regulations under the law require that animals“be exposed to the carbon dioxide gas in a way that will accomplish the anesthesia quickly and calmly，with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals.”
Further，the Federal Meat检验Act（FMIA）mandates that inspectors make“an examination and inspection of the method”by which livestock are slaughtered。
The coalition’s petition argues that requiring cameras is not optional for the USDA，as the department is unable to meet its legal obligation to administer the HMSA and FMIA without a way to observe animals within all stunning systems。
“The USDA is not allowed to take a‘see no evil’position regarding the slaughter of pigs；the agency has a duty to ensure each animal is stunned and slaughtered in accordance with the HMSA，and they obviously can’t do that if their inspectors are unable to observe this process，”said Gillian Lyons，director of regulatory affairs for Humane Society Legislative Fund。
总开关，总开关，总开关，总开关，总开关CO2gas；electrocution is still used by many small pig slaughter establishments，along with captive bolt guns and firearms。
At least 32pig slaughter facilities across the country—most classified as large—useCO2单击功能区上，according to USDA enforcement records.Iowa ranks first in the number of slaughter plants usingCO2stunning（at least eight），followed by Minnesota（at least four），and California and Illinois（at least three each）。
ast large meat slaughter plants in the United have already installed cameras in many areas of their establishments—and videos from these cameras are sometimes shared with inspection personnel to determine if a humane violation has occurred.There is no eviidence from enforcement records，however，that vio reablesCO2stunning areas。
“Compassion in World Farming urges the USDA to require video monitoring inside CO2 stunning areas to ensure pigs are rendered insensible quickly—and humanely-before slaughter in accordance with the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act，”said Dr.Hillary Dalton，senior research manager at Compassion in World Farming.“CIWF is also calling upon governments and industry to address all instances of extreme pig suffering at slaughter and adopt more humane slaughter practices as matter of urgency.”
Several other countries require video monitoring ofCO2gas slaughter systems，including England，Scotland，Spain，and Israel。
“The factory farming industry hides behind closed doors，preventing regulators and the public from seeing the suffering and pain inflicted on the animals，”said Lindsay Oliver，executive director for World Animal Protection。“This petition will help shed some much-needed light on the harsh reality of pigs subjected to CO2 stunning and hold accountable any companies failing to comply with animal protection laws，limited as they may be.Improving oversight and transparency is a crucial step toward protecting pigs from cruelty.”
介质接触信息
Marjorie Fishman，Animal Welfare Institute 已保护，（202）446-2128
主Longenecker，Compassion in World Farming 已保护单击功能区上，（631）710-8224
联机Bove，the Humane Society of the United States 已保护单击功能区上，（213）248-1548
TheAnimal Welfare Institute（awionline.org）is anonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to reducing animal suffering caused by people。AWI engages policymakers，scientists，industry，and the public to achieve better treatment of animals everywhere—in the laboratory，on the farm，in commerce，at home，and in the wild.Follow us onFacebook单击功能区上，推特单击功能区上，and，andInstagramfor updates and other important animal protection news。
在世界上进行组装is aglobal farmed animal protection organization that campaigns peacefully to end factory farming and transition to afood system that is compassionate，fair，and sustainable for all.The charity works tirelessly towards a better future for animals，people，and the planet by educating concerned consumers and supporting meaningful public policy.With headquarters in the UK，we have representatives to support in Europe，the US，the Asia-Pacific Region and South Africa.花旗To find out more about Compassion in World Farming or join the movement，visit:花旗ciwf.comand follow us on推特单击功能区上Instagram单击功能区上TikTokand，andFacebook
We fight the big fights to end suffering for all animals.Together with millions of supporters，theHumane Society of the United Statestakes on puppy mills，factory farms，the fur trade，trophy hunting，animal cosmetics testing，and other cruel industries.Through our rescue，response and sanctary work，as well as other direct services，we help thousands of animals in need everyyear.We fight all forms of animal forms of hicond r name:a humane society。
Humane Society Legislative Fundworks to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level，to educate the public about animal protection issues，and support humane candidates for office.Formed in 2004，HSLF is incorporated under section501（c）（4）of the Internal Revenue Code as a separate lobbying affiliate of the Humane Society of the Unites of the Unites。
TheHumane Society Veterinary Medical Association（HSVMA）isa professional veterinary association with a focus on animal welfare。HSVMA uses its expertise and resources to advance animal welfare via leadership，advocacy，education，and service。
全球防盗保护is a global organization working to end factory farming and wildlife exploitation.They expose cruel systems，promote animal-friendly alternatives，and influence policy change.For over70years，World Animal Protection has been rewriting the story for animals12个工作交流平台50个countries with offices in，世界防盗保护系统单击功能区上，enabling the organization to engage with and influence global decision-makers.They prioritize animals in farming and wild animals exploited foruse in entertainment，as pets，and in fashion。
