For years, animal welfare advocates have criticized the USDA’s “teachable moments” policy for its lack of transparency. Now, it’s coming to an end
The U.S. Department of Agriculture now will cite all welfare violations in its animal facility inspection reports, the agency announced.
For the last six years, however, the USDA has allowed a so-called “teachable moments” policy, wherein minor violations, such as record-keeping problems or lapses in cleanliness, were not documented in facilities’ public inspection reports. That policy is now kaput. Going forward, the USDA will now cite all welfare violations in its inspection reports, according to an announcement from the agency’s Animal Care program Deputy Administrator Betty Goldentyer. The reports appear publicly onA spokesperson for the USDA declined to answer questions about the announcement, but Goldentyer said in a statement that “the humane treatment of animals has always been [our] top priority, and we use all available options to carry out this goal.