Slaughter regulation in the US

Kelsey Eberly

Chapter 102 in Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Animal Law, 2025, pp 390-393 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Detailed federal regulation governs the slaughter of animals for human food in the US, revolving around antemortem and postmortem public health inspection by the US Department of Agriculture. State law plays only a limited role. Federal law requires humane handling and effective stunning before the slaughter of cattle, pigs, and sheep. However, the law does not protect birds—95 percent of the land animals killed for food in the United States—and has a checkered enforcement history. First-hand exposés have revealed inhumane and unsanitary practices and chronic violations, prompting public outcry and limited regulatory reform. Recent public debate has questioned whether new slaughter inspection regimes, favoured by regulators and the meat and poultry industry, further scientific advancement and food safety modernization, or lead to deregulation at the expense of workers, animals, and consumers.

Keywords: Humane Slaughter; Inspection; Preemption; Livestock; Poultry Products; Adulterated; Non-Ambulatory Disabled; Food Safety and Inspection Service; FSIS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781803923666
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