Pigs and Public Health Act

The "Pigs and Public Health Act" seeks to enhance public health and animal welfare by removing nonambulatory pigs from the food system. Congress finds that nonambulatory pigs pose significant public health risks due to potential pathogen carriage, such as swine influenza and Salmonella, and that current practices lead to needless suffering and unsafe working conditions. The bill aims to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases and improve the humane treatment of pigs throughout the supply chain. Title I of the bill introduces several humane handling reforms for pigs. It prohibits the unlawful use of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs, like ractopamine, for growth promotion in pigs. New transportation standards are established, requiring adequate protection from weather, appropriate bedding, sufficient space for movement, and access to water, while maintaining temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, the bill mandates the immediate humane euthanasia of nonambulatory pigs by covered entities and prohibits the processing, sale, or slaughter of any nonambulatory pig or its products for human consumption. It also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to test nonambulatory pigs for various diseases. Title II focuses on public health transparency and accountability. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an online portal for confidential complaints regarding violations of the Act, occupational safety, or labor standards, ensuring whistleblower anonymity. The bill also provides robust whistleblower protections , prohibiting retaliation against individuals who report violations or assist in investigations. Finally, it mandates a study and report by the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety, in coordination with the CDC, on the public health threat posed by nonambulatory pigs entering the food system, detailing the impact of associated pathogens.