FSIS Won't Act on Humane Slaughter Petition

February 20, 2002

In a letter earlier this month to Burger King Corporation, Food Safety and Inspection Service Acting Administrator Margaret O'K Glavin said FSIS is not granting Burger King's petition for increased humane slaughter oversight. The letter was an apparent attempt to clarify another agency letter sent last month to the company in which FSIS said it was granting the petition and developing a proposed rule that will address the issue of humane handling, according to the American Meat Institute. Burger King released the earlier letter to the news media, resulting in extensive publicity.

"It appears that you misunderstood the agency's response to your organization's petition," Glavin said. "FSIS vigorously and aggressively enforces the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Under the HMSA, the Secretary has authority to immediately shut down a plant for humane handling or slaughter violations and does so. FSIS' inspectors and veterinarians are continuously present in the plants to ensure that plants comply…your assertion that FSIS does not fully enforce the HMSA is inaccurate."

Glavin said that while FSIS is developing a proposed rule to streamline humane handling regulations, the rulemaking is not a response to Burger King's petition but rather stems from an earlier FSIS survey and report on humane handling. "Your petition will be considered as part of that rulemaking," Glavin said.