All animal harvest facilities that supply raw materials from bovine, porcine and ovine species for the production of finished products for purchase by AMS must meet AMS animal handling and welfare requirements, as described in Federal Purchase Program Specifications – Animal Handling and Welfare. As part of its audits, AMS observes 100 animals (occasionally 50 animals in the case of low volume operations) to ensure animals immediately rendered insensible from stunning and that no animals regain consciousness following stunning. The data from AMS animal handling and welfare audit observations are available below.
- FY2024 AMS Animal Handling and Welfare Performance (pdf)
- FY2023 AMS Animal Handling and Welfare Performance (pdf)
- FY2022 AMS Animal Handling and Welfare Performance (pdf)
- FY2021 AMS Animal Handling and Welfare Performance (pdf)
- FY2020 AMS Animal Handling and Welfare Performance (pdf)
- Federal Purchase Program Specification - Animal Handling and Welfare 2021 (pdf)
Additional Resources
- Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
- American Meat Institute Animal Handling and Welfare
- Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization