It’s in Big Ag’s interest to hide what happens to farmed animals. That’s why Mercy For Animals is calling on the U.S. government to add someone with an understanding of animal protection—and the environmental damage industrial animal agriculture causes—to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI).
NACMPI was established in 1971 to advise the USDA secretary (currently Tom Vilsack) on issues related to farmed animal slaughter, food inspection, and food safety.
In other words, this committee helps oversee what goes on behind closed doors in slaughterhouses. And while federal law requires that NACMPI membership be “fairly balanced,” the committee’s current makeup doesn’t uphold this.
Of NACMPI’s 20 members, 15 are closely connected to the animal agriculture industry. The industry’s well-paid lobbyists promote cheap meat over all else—even though industrial animal agriculture pollutes our planet, threatens human health and safety, and condemns billions of farmed animals to horrible lives that end in violent slaughter.
No current members represent interests in animal or environmental protection. As Mercy For Animals and many others see it, the committee is not “fairly balanced.”
That’s why we have led the charge and nominated two people with the expertise, experience, and backgrounds NACMPI desperately needs:
- Prof. Delcianna Winders, animal law program director and visiting associate professor at Vermont Law School, is not only one of the country’s most distinguished experts on meat-processing law, with numerous publications in leading journals, but a steadfast advocate for animal protection, worker safety, food safety, and the environment.
- Dr. Parthapratim “Pat” Basu is widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities on issues in our meat-processing system that impact food safety, worker safety, animal welfare, and the environment owing to his more than four decades of award-winning public service—including in his previous role as chief public health veterinarian at the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Nearly 30 organizations promoting workers’ rights and animal, consumer, and environmental protection have joined us in nominating Professor Winders. And nearly 20 such organizations have nominated Dr. Basu. It’s now up to Secretary Vilsack to appoint new NACMPI members.
Appointing just one of these nominees would be a huge step forward for farmed animal protection. It would make the committee more balanced and promote more transparent regulation of the meat industry. Adding an individual who understands the animal welfare and environmental impacts of animal agriculture to NACMPI would bring us closer to creating a more just and sustainable food system.
The meat industry is scared of the transparency we seek, but we will continue to reveal the truth and fight for reform.
This is your chance to contact Secretary Vilsack and ask that the USDA appoint NACMPI members with experience in animal and environmental protection.
Instagram: @secvilsack
Twitter: @SecVilsack
Sample Language:
- Secretary Vilsack, when appointing members to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) this year, please ensure the committee is “fairly balanced” as required by federal law. Appoint Prof. Delcianna Winders and Dr. Pat Basu to the NACMPI!
- Secretary Vilsack, now’s your chance to break up industry domination of the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection by appointing Prof. Delcianna Winders and Dr. Pat Basu—who have animal protection experience—to the committee.
- Secretary Vilsack, it’s time the USDA followed federal law and made the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection “fairly balanced.” Prof. Delcianna Winders and Dr. Pat Basu have expertise in animal protection—appoint them now!
- Secretary Vilsack, don’t let Big Ag onto the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection. Appoint Prof. Delcianna Winders and Dr. Pat Basu, who have expertise in animal protection, instead!
