Date
June 13, 2014
In an effort to remain at the forefront of industry best practices, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is updating its animal handling and welfare (AHW) purchase specifications for harvest facilities that supply bovine, porcine, and ovine species for the production of finished products destined for Federal nutrition assistance programs. The following purchase specification revisions will be implemented effective for purchases beginning July 1, 2014.
- During an AMS AHW audit, any observation of a missed stun or of an animal regaining sensibility following stunning will result in a failed audit. This zero-tolerance requirement is consistent with the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, in which any missed
- Upon completion of an AMS AHW audit of an organization, the auditor will provide written notification of audit findings to organization officials and to Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) officials during the exit interview.
- Any official enforcement action issued by FSIS for missed stuns and/or animals regaining sensibility following stunning will result in an AHW audit by AMS. In addition to these updates, AMS is posting on its website data for the number of missed stuns and animals regaining sensibility following stunning, as observed during AMS AHW audits. Data from the beginning of Fiscal Year 2014 will be posted initially and updated quarterly.
Should you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact Darin Doerscher at 563-847-1550 or darin.doerscher@ams.usda.gov.