Originally passed in 1958, the law that is enforced today by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was passed as the Humane Slaughter Act of 1978. This Act requires the proper treatment and humane handling of all food animals slaughtered in USDA inspected slaughter plants. It does not apply to chickens or other birds.
Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
| Spotlights |
Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (7 USC, 1901-1907)
Government Printing Office.
Statutory Sections comprising the Humane Slaughter Act. Included are Congress' statement that livestock must be slaughtered in a humane manner to prevent needless suffering, research methods on humane methods of slaughter, the nonapplicability of these statutes to religious or ritual slaughter, and the investigation into the care of nonambulatory livestock.
Humane Handling and Slaughter Directive (PDF | 108 KB)
USDA. Food Safety and Inspection Service
This directive provides the informs inspection program personnel of the requirements, verification activities, and enforcement actions for ensuring that the handling and slaughter of livestock.
Compliance Assistance: Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter
USDA. Food Safety and Inspection Service.
This page provides links to regulations, FSIS directives and notices, and training materials.
Humane Slaughter - Livestock Slaughter Inspection Training
USDA. Food Safety and Inspection Service.
This chapter in the Livestock Slaughter Inspection Training Manual provides information for new FSIS Food Inspectors regarding humane slaughter of livestock.
Acts & Authorizing Statutes: Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter
USDA. Food Safety and Inspection Service.
This page provides links to regulations, FSIS directives and notices, and training materials.
GAO Reports & Testimonies: Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
US Government Accountability Office.
Reports produced by the GAO about enforcement of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
Nonambulatory Livestock and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (PDF | 148 KB)
Congressional Research Service.
This March 2009 publication addresses non-ambulatory livestock and the Humane Slaughter Act.
USDA Meat Inspection and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (PDF | 72 KB)
Congressional Research Service.
This February 2008 document provides an overview of the livestock slaughter inspection process and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.