In 1987, the Meat Science Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, prepared an Israel — United States Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation funding request to reduce the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella on poultry and to more readily remove feathers during processing.

Average U.S. Animal Slaughtering and Processing Production during the 12 months through September was up 1.9 percent; however, the pace of growth has slowed since January.