HSUS vs. USDA: Downer Cow Issue Continues

April 29, 2008

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Humane Society of the United States is all smiles after a major change of heart came last week from key meat and dairy industry groups in regards to the ban on downer cows.

When Wayne Pacelle, president of HSUS, testified before the Senate in February, he said “Half a century has passed and we are once more before you to draw attention to certain other cruelties that are repugnant to our moral code today and a threat to our nation’s food supply.”

Undercover video taken by the HSUS showed workers abusing sick and crippled cattle at the Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. in Chino, Calif. This video led to the recall of 143 million pounds of beef.

According to HSUS’ president, they “saw downed livestock being dragged into slaughter houses and being lifted by forklifts – pushed with bull dozers.

Pacelle went on to say that it was “gross appalling treatment – inhumane treatment of these animals. And these animals are going into the school lunch program. They are going on to the plates of children.”

Although none of the children were affected in the 40 states where the meat was served, downer cattle is at a heightened risk for disease. According to Dr. Michael Greger of HSUS, “By allowing downed cattle into the food supply, we are increasing the risk of human exposure to mad cow disease, salmonella, E Coli and other food poisoning bacteria.”

Pacelle added that “It’s just irresponsible and reckless for the USDA to allow this process to occur.”

He went on to say, “The meat industry tries to squeeze as many profits out of these animals as possible – even animals too sick or injured to walk are animals they want to turn a profit on.”

Now in a significant reversal, major meat industry groups are backing a total ban on downer cows from entering the food supply.

“This is tremendously significant -- this is a 180 degree change,” Greger said. “In fact these industry trade groups have been fighting tooth and nail for over a decade to continue to have these loopholes which allow producers to feed slaughter house waste, blood and manure to their animals. And also in terms of animals at the slaughter plants allowing these animals to sick to even eat or walk into human food supply.”

If this total ban comes to fruition, not only will crippled cows be protected from abuse, but consumers will also be at ease when consuming beef.

“The fact that they have now finally decided to put the public interest above those of their corporate interest is a wonderful sea change and now I’m sure we will see the USDA move very quickly to close up these loopholes.” Greger said.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, which oversees the nation's slaughterhouses, says it does not keep numbers on how many downers enter the food supply after they've been re-inspected following a fall.

The Humane Society also sued the USDA to seek a total ban, calling the current policy a loophole that should be closed to protect consumers and ensure the humane treatment of animals. The suit claims the Chino workers were trying to get the cows to stand, even briefly, so they could be considered acceptable for human consumption.

Current law bans the slaughter of most cows that are unable to stand, but they are allowed to be processed if they fall down after passing a vet’s inspection and then are inspected.

According to Pacelle when he testified before Senate “It would have been the right policy 10 yrs before, it would have been the right policy 30 before. It took a crisis to precipitate an action.”

The American Meat Institute, the National Meat Association and the National Milk Producers Federation have petitioned the Agriculture Department to enact this total ban. Pet Pulse will update this story as it continues to develop.

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