WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the finalization of the rule to privatize hog slaughter inspection. The rule shifts critical food safety protection tasks from government inspectors to the pork industry.

In response, Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter issued this statement:

“The least Trump’s USDA could do is be honest with the American people about the new, harmful hog slaughter inspection rule. The implementation of the rule will result in the fox guarding the henhouse. With less government oversight over hog slaughter inspection, big meat companies will have the freedom to inspect themselves and push towards their goal of increasing line speeds. There’s no doubt about it: faster line speeds + less inspection = more food contamination.

“We already know from the privatization of poultry plant inspection that relinquishing control over food safety to industry is bad for public health. Time and time again the privatized poultry inspection system has failed to meet food safety standards.

“It makes no sense to continue to yield more food safety oversight to industry. Trump’s USDA is clearly prioritizing the meat industry’s interests against the will of the American people, and in doing so, is wreaking havoc on public health.

“We will continue to hold the USDA accountable for these slaps in the face to public health. Americans deserve adequate food safety enforcement to ensure the food we eat is healthy and safe.”

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