Faster Pig Slaughtering to Be Allowed in U.S. Pilot Program (2)

Faster U.S. pig slaughtering will be allowed under a pilot program after sluggish processing pinched pork supplies and raised meat prices.

Production-line speeds can be accelerated for up to a year under the new program, according to an emailed statement from U.S. Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Kate Waters. Companies will be required to enact safety measures through agreements with labor unions or employee-safety committees.

Meatpackers and farmers have long been frustrated with slaughter limits that hinder production and lower the prices hogs fetch. Safety advocates argue that workers need to be better protected from potential problems ranging from bodily strains ...