Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Poultry rule prompts Food & Water Watch to take legal action against the USDA

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The interest group called Food & Water Watch is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to try and stop the implementation of the new Poultry Inspection System rule from taking effect.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service branch amended its new inspection legislation to allow poultry processing plants to increase their line speeds to operate at 140 birds per minute. Though, the final rule will permit 20 chicken plants operating under USDA’s pilot initiative to use higher line speeds.  In addition, the final rule shifts federal meat inspectors from production floor duties to do more offline inspection related tasks, which means much of the oversight power is now given to plant employees.

Food & Water Watch, argues that the new system violates the Poultry Products Inspection Act, a law passed in 1957 that says USDA has a duty to protect consumer health. The organization who filed the suit, alleges that the new rules violate a number of statutory requirements, and infringes on the requirement that government inspectors supervise slaughter processing.

According to court documents, the suit is being brought by Food & Water Watch, and two individual plaintiffs, Margaret Sowerwine and Jane Foran. Defendants include the Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and other high ranking officials from the USDA. The filings say that consumers would be put into harm’s way if the new rule was to be implemented.

The group also says that the government did not allow for an opportunity to provide comment through an online forum or a public meeting. Specifically, the Food & Water Watch says that there were changes made to the final rule that were not outlined in the proposal for public review.


Trending Video

Complete Guide to WELL WATER Testing!

Video: Complete Guide to WELL WATER Testing!

Are you clueless about where to get your water tested, how to perform the tests, or interpret the results? Don't sweat it! I'm here to simplify water filtration for you.

In this step-by-step guide, I will take you through the entire process of testing well water quality. From choosing the right test kit, identifying common mistakes during the sampling process, to analyzing the results, I've got you covered.

I'll be demonstrating the process using a test kit from https://mytapscore.com/. They offer a range of comprehensive tests and easy-to-follow instructions, making water testing a breeze!

You'll see me sample water right from my home, as I share tips and insights on how to get the most accurate results. Plus, I'll answer FAQs about water testing and talk about what a complete well water filtration system should consist of.

By the end of this video, you'll not only have a better understanding of water quality and the threats that could be lurking in your tap, but you'll also know how to tackle them.

Once you have your results, send them to us at info@waterestore.com with your water concerns, and we'll provide personalized recommendations for fixing your water.