USDA beefs up protections for free speech, religious freedom New policy lifts threat issued during previous administration to shut down meatpacking facility over religious article on breakroom table Monday, November 06, 2017 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued new policy guidance within its Food Safety and Inspection Service regarding freedom of speech and religion. The guidance removes the threat of a government-dictated shutdown of West Michigan Beef Company, a Grand Rapids–area meatpacking company owned by Donald and Ellen Vander Boon that employs 45 people, over religious literature on a breakroom table. The threat of government closure of...