This bill establishes new requirements and oversight for larger industrial animal feeding operations (AFOs) to improve disaster preparedness, animal welfare, and worker protections. It creates a new government office to regulate high-risk AFOs, mandates disaster mitigation plans, and restricts certain methods of animal depopulation. The bill also sets new standards for animal transport and slaughter and enhances labor rights for workers involved in disaster events.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill establishes new requirements and oversight for larger industrial animal feeding operations (AFOs) to improve disaster preparedness, animal welfare, and worker protections. It creates a new government office to regulate high-risk AFOs, mandates disaster mitigation plans, and restricts certain methods of animal depopulation. The bill also sets new standards for animal transport and slaughter and enhances labor rights for workers involved in disaster events.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><b>Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2023</b></p> <p>This bill establishes additional requirements for larger animal feeding operations (AFOs) owned or controlled by industrial operators and increases handling requirements for livestock and poultry.</p> <p>Specifically, the bill establishes the Office of High-Risk AFO Disaster Mitigation and Enforcement within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and requires such industrial operators to register with the office and submit annual disaster mitigation plans (e.g., for public health emergencies and major disasters). In addition, industrial operators must pay annual disaster mitigation maintenance fees to the office and are liable for costs associated with disaster events or depopulation (the rapid destruction of animals in response to urgent circumstances).</p> <p> Industrial operators are restricted from using specified methods of depopulation; any person may sue an industrial operator or USDA over a violation. Further, USDA must establish depopulation standards that rapidly induce unconsciousness and death with minimal pain and distress.</p> <p>The Department of Labor must enforce minimum labor standards for industrial operators regarding covered workers or affected contract growers in disaster mitigation events, including whistleblower protections and health insurance requirements. Further, industrial operators may not use incarcerated workers in these events.</p> <p>The bill also includes provisions on the handling of livestock and poultry, such as</p> <ul> <li>requiring USDA to set additional standards for animal transport;</li> <li>including poultry in the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 and creating a USDA grant program to transition processing facilities to a different slaughter method;</li> <li>requiring USDA to promulgate certain regulations regarding the humane treatment, euthanasia, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock; and</li> <li> terminating programs that allow for slaughter speeds that exceed existing limits or reduce the use of federal inspectors. </li> </ul>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Creates the Office of High-Risk AFO Disaster Mitigation and Enforcement to regulate larger industrial animal operations
Requires industrial AFOs to register, submit disaster plans, and pay fees to cover mitigation costs and worker protections
Prohibits certain inhumane methods of depopulating animals and requires USDA to establish more humane standards
Expands worker protections, including whistleblower safeguards and health insurance requirements, for those involved in disaster events
Sets new requirements for the handling and slaughter of livestock and poultry, including enhanced animal welfare standards
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If enacted, this bill would significantly impact the practices and oversight of larger industrial animal agriculture operations. It would create new regulatory burdens and costs for these producers, while also enhancing worker protections and animal welfare standards throughout the industry. Consumers may see changes in livestock and poultry handling and processing, potentially affecting prices and availability of certain products.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
272, 119th Congress (2025). "Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-272
