Over the past five years, the Vermont Law and Graduate School, a private, independent institution accredited by the American Bar Association has provided substantial assistance to welfare and environmental activist groups to oppose intensive livestock production.  Most recently, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund have filed lawsuits to obtain data relating to the environmental impact of intensive animal production.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service, responsible for ensuring food safety and welfare at packing and poultry processing plants, is exempt from public disclosure and specifically, environmental review.  The exemption from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has justifiably hindered opponents of livestock production from obtaining data relating to air and water quality.  This exemption with respect to the Food Safety and Inspection Service was established in 1983 and was based on the perception that packing of red meat and processing of poultry had minimal environmental impacts.

A spokesperson for the Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic of the Vermont Law and Graduate School stated, “By filing this petition, we aim to compel FSIS to adhere to the NEPA mandate, ensuring that the Agency conducts thorough environmental reviews of its regulations and actions which historically have been excluded.”  The statement added, “This action is crucial for greater transparency and public involvement in decisions that will significantly affect our environment and for addressing harm to animals at slaughterhouses.”