Sponsors (3)
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Inserts a new section (10409B) after section 10409A in the Animal Health Protection Act prohibiting any use of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs (including ractopamine, zilpaterol, and lubabegron) in pigs in the absence of disease, including uses for growth promotion or feed efficiency.
Amends the Animal Welfare Act by inserting a new section 13A establishing transportation requirements for pigs transported by a covered provider of transportation on behalf of a covered entity, recordkeeping and production requirements, and definitions for covered entity, covered provider of transportation, and establishment.
Adds a new subsection (c) to Section 6 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act establishing that inspectors shall not pass nonambulatory pigs or carcasses through inspection, requiring labeling/marking of such carcasses as 'inspected and condemned', and defining 'nonambulatory pig'.
This bill focuses on “downer” pigs—animals that cannot stand or walk on their own. It keeps them out of the food supply to protect public health and improve animal care. It requires immediate, humane euthanasia of these pigs; bans buying, selling, slaughtering, or processing them for meat; and directs USDA inspectors to mark any such carcass as condemned so it cannot pass inspection. The bill also calls for testing these pigs for diseases. Lawmakers cite studies showing these pigs often carry dangerous germs, and that keeping them out of the food supply protects consumers and workers.
It also sets stronger rules for how pigs are treated on farms, during transport, and in plants. It prohibits certain growth drugs in pigs when not used to treat disease. During transport, trucks must provide bedding, water, room to turn and lie down, and keep the inside temperature between 50–75°F, with records kept. Workers get new safety protections: the Labor Department must set a standard with training and mechanical lifting aids. To increase transparency, USDA must launch a confidential online complaint portal, publish yearly summaries, and protect whistleblowers from retaliation, including the right to go to court if USDA hasn’t decided within 210 days. USDA and CDC must study the health risks and publish a report.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced July 25, 2025 by Veronica Escobar · Last progress July 25, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House