Dear Supporters, Today, sixty members of Congress called upon the USDA to delay the expansion of the dangerous high-speed pork slaughter program, HIMP, citing concerns about USDA’s failure to thoroughly vet the program. Specifically, they warn that USDA has not adequately shown that food safety can be maintained after removing government inspectors from slaughter plants across the country. The bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, led by Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), expressed fear that the expansion of HIMP is “being pushed by the industry to increase profits at the expense of public health.” The lawmakers also cited the devastating effects that increased slaughter speeds would have on worker safety and animal treatment, stating, “Rapid line speeds present some of the greatest risks of inhumane treatment as workers are often pressured to take violent shortcuts to keep up.” The USDA is expected to make an announcement regarding the expansion of HIMP any moment – please join us in reminding the USDA and Hormel that the public does not condone an industry-serving slaughter program that is bad for animals, workers, and consumers. With Gratitude, Compassion Over Killing P.S. – the full letter is available here (http://delauro.house.gov/images/pdf/1.19.16HogHIMPLetter.pdf).