Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) recently introduced the Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act, legislation that he says will place the liability for responsible disaster mitigation on corporations and industrial operations.
These entities would be required to register with USDA, submit disaster preparedness plans and pay a fee to establish a fund focused on disaster events.
“This new fund, the High-Risk AFO Disaster Mitigation Fund, will be utilized to enforce disaster mitigation plans and ensure that the most humane practices are used if depopulation is absolutely necessary,” according to a news release.
The bill would also end line-speed increases and meatpacker self-inspection programs for slaughter, prohibit the slaughter of all downed animals and require “more humane treatment of livestock transported for long periods.” In addition, the legislation would invest in higher welfare slaughter technology in processing facilities and establish a pilot program to train and employ more part-time inspectors for small plants.
