March 31, 2006

Dr. Barbara Masters, Administrator

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Administrative Building

1400 Independence Ave. S.W.

Rm. 331-E

Washington, DC 20250

Re:  Penalties issued to inspectors at AgriProcessors

Dear Dr. Masters:

The investigation into the killing methods used at AgriProcessors, Inc. have confirmed that slaughterhouse employees "engaged in inhumane slaughter of cattle" (USDA report, April 25, 2005), that the practice resulted in what can only be described as extreme suffering (I assume you will agree that ripping the tracheas out of living, still sensible animals constitutes such), and that FSIS employees not only "observed the acts of inhumane slaughter" but also "did nothing to stop the practice."  Moreover, FSIS inspectors and supervisors were found to be in deliberate dereliction of duty:  it's now known that one of these employees frequently played computer games during duty hours; that one or more purposely avoided visiting the slaughter area; and that one of the plant's inspectors was guilty of literally "sleeping on the job."  A trainee reported being told to simply check off items on a task sheet whether they were completed or not, because "it's all just a game anyway."  Another FSIS employee gave AgriProcessors forewarning that investigators were about to visit, and that it would "be in your best interest" to get the plant "cleaned up" before the investigators arrived.  And so on, and so forth.

In light of all this, it is surprising – indeed, it is appalling – to read that the only punishment meted out for these many violations was one temporary suspension and two letters of warning.  Though I certainly applaud efforts made to ensure that the egregious cruelty and suffering inflicted upon an incalculable number of animals at AgriProcessors will not continue in future, it is difficult not to read the slightness of the punishments given those who allowed that cruelty to occur as being anything but a case of the U.S. Department of Agriculture protecting its own.  Please take animal suffering seriously, and in future, punish those who allow violations of basic welfare standards to occur accordingly.  This, it seems to me, is the least one can ask of an agency which has been instituted to do just that.

Yours sincerely & etc. . . .