New Report Names 10 Worst Slaughter Plants in U.S.

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-new-report-names-worst-slaughter-plants-in-the-u-s-smithfield-foods-jbs-usa/

A new report has emerged from the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) naming some of the worst slaughter facilities in the United States. The list was developed after AWI analyzed government documents regarding the slaughterhouses and their animal welfare infractions over a three year period. Unsurprisingly, these facilities were found to be in breach of animal welfare standards countless times over this period with the worst of them having reported 132 infractions. 

The bulk of the infractions were due to improper welfare standards when slaughtering animals. Particularly, animals were not properly stunned prior to being shackled and hung to be dismembered. This undoubtedly caused the animals immense physical pain as well as an unbelievable amount of mental and emotional stress and turmoil as they desperately tried to escape the shackles prior to being killed. It doesn't stop there, one can assume that there were other animal welfare infractions tied to abuse, poor quality of life, dirty / disease ridden living quarters, and lack of veterinary care when applicable. 

I think what shocks me the most about these numbers is the fact that these slaughter facilities continued to operate unscathed despite being blasted for animal welfare infractions. What does it take for a facility like these to be held accountable and perhaps forced to make changes? The report doesn't necessarily disclose what happened to these establishments after being caught with animal welfare infractions but they're all still operating which indicates to me that very little was done and there was no accountability. The livestock industry is heavily protected by the government and unfortunately, farm animals deemed livestock have very little rights in the eyes of the government. These animals are regularly subjected to abuse, violence, and improper slaughter leading to incredible amounts of physical, emotional, and mental stress. It's unfathomable to me the amount of abuse farm animals endure with almost no accountability. What does it take for an establishment to be held accountable and forced to change?

This report certainly paints a very bleak picture about the current state of animal welfare in the United States and the future of animal agriculture. If these facilities are knowingly continuing to operate despite being found to be in breach of animal welfare standards repeatedly, what the hell is being done to enforce change? This horriific pattern of repeated animal abuse is shocking and demands that there be a change within the industry. Who's monitoring these establishments? Who follows up with them after these infractions to ensure that it doesn't happen again? Is anyone holding these facilities accountable or is it simply swept under thee rug to protect the agriculture industry? 

Our government's have pandered to the livestock industry for too long. Wild animals are rapidly losing habitat over the continued growth of the livestock industry. Wild animals are being killed regularly for interfering with the livestock industry despite some of these animals facing extinction. It's evident that the livestock industry will be protected at all costs so why even bother catching them in the act of animal abuse if nothing is going to be done about it?

The livestock industry is despicable and profits off of the continued abuse of animals that are poorly looked after until their demise. 

Do the meatless mondays! Go vegetarian / vegan! Stop contributing to this horrendous industry that cares so little for the animals you are seeing on your plate. That steak comes with an abhorrent amount of abuse.

HAPPY VEG