The Trump administration has quietly removed thousands of animal welfare inspection reports and enforcement records from the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) website, in a move that has drawn sharp criticism from animal rights groups and transparency advocates.
The records, which previously allowed public access to information about animal treatment at research labs, zoos, breeding facilities and other locations regulated under the Animal Welfare Act, were abruptly taken offline earlier this month.
Blackout on Animal Welfare Data
According to USDA officials, the decision was made due to privacy concerns, with the agency stating it needed to remove certain personal information from the documents before reposting them. However, no timeline has been provided for when - or if - the records might return.
Animal welfare organisations have condemned the move as a blatant attempt to shield businesses from public scrutiny. "This is a clear effort to keep the public in the dark about animal abuse," said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States.
Impact on Research and Oversight
The removed documents included:
- Inspection reports for animal research facilities
- Enforcement actions against violators of animal welfare laws
- Annual reports from commercial breeders and exhibitors
- Records of animal use in research institutions
Researchers and journalists who relied on these records for investigations say the removal significantly hampers their ability to monitor animal welfare standards across the country.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Legal experts argue the move may violate both the spirit and letter of freedom of information laws. "The USDA has effectively created a secret animal welfare enforcement system," said Delcianna Winders, an animal law professor at Lewis & Clark College.
The decision comes as part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration restricting access to government data, following similar actions involving climate change research and workplace safety records.
As the controversy grows, multiple organisations have announced plans to file Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain the removed documents, while others are considering legal action to force their restoration.
