Pigs and Public Health Act (Federal)

​The Animal Legal Defense Fund​ supports ​this bill.

​Sponsor:​ Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX)
​Introduction Date:​ July 7, 2024

The Pigs in Public Health Act (H.R. 8994) would remove nonambulatory or “downed” pigs — pigs who cannot stand or walk unassisted — from the U.S. food system by drastically reducing the number of downed pigs going to slaughter. It would accomplish this by: 

• prohibiting the prophylactic use of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs, including ractopamine, in pigs. These drugs are used in animal agriculture production to increase growth and alter body composition.   

• improving protections for pigs during transport, including shelter from the elements, and prohibiting overcrowding. 

• requiring the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations providing for humane treatment and handling of downed pigs, including requirements to immediately humanely euthanize downed pigs, and for covered entities to maintain and submit records of downed pigs to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

• requiring testing of downed pigs for diseases, such as swine flu and campylobacter. 

• prohibiting the buying, selling, processing, and butchering of downed pigs, and the sale of meat from downed pigs. 

• Requiring the USDA to promulgate regulations prohibiting the willful abuse of downed pigs. 

• requiring the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to promulgate a standard for handling of downed pigs. 

• requiring the USDA and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to produce a report on the threat of downed pigs in the food system. 

 The bill is long overdue after decades-long inaction by the USDA to report on and implement regulations protecting downed animals in the food system. 

​​Why is this legislation important? ​ 

Pigs raised for food in the U.S. are routinely subjected to near-unimaginable cruelty — much of which is legal under current law. Investigations and industry whistleblowers have revealed horrific abuse of downed pigs, such as kicking, prodding, dragging by the limbs, and shocking to get them to slaughter since they cannot walk or stand up. This legislation would provide enforceable standards of care for downed pigs that are long overdue. Additionally, it would protect public health by prohibiting meat from sick pigs from entering the food system. 

​​For more information about animal protection legislation​ at the federal level, and opportunities to take action for animals, visit aldf.org/federalbills.