The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week that it would continue to test meat processing plants for salmonella bacteria despite a recent ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals prohibiting the agency from closing plants that fail to control salmonella. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman revealed that the USDA would investigate a plant's operations if the facility failed two standard salmonella tests. According to Veneman, USDA inspectors will close plants that fail to fix deficiencies or meet "statutory and regulatory requirements." It is unclear whether the USDA's decision comports with the recent court ruling.