USDA Announces Ban on Downer Cattle, Closing Loophole

May 20, 2008


	©The HSUS
	Video footage from The HSUS's undercover investigations at slaughter plants and cattle auctions shocked the nation into action.

Today, The Humane Society of the United States welcomed news from Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer that the USDA will implement a ban on slaughter for human consumption of cattle unable to stand and walk unassisted.

"This is long-anticipated but welcome news," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "For too long, sick and crippled animals have been allowed into the food supply, putting consumers at risk and subjecting injured and sick animals to needless torment."

"This loophole contributed to the unacceptable abuses we documented at the Hallmark slaughter plant, leading to the nation's largest meat recall in history and affecting schoolchildren in 47 states."

"I commend Secretary Schafer for closing the downer loophole," Pacelle continued. "FSIS inspectors should immediately modify their practices on the ground and not wait for the new rule to be in place.

We hope USDA broadens the rule to include auction houses, to require immediate euthanasia of downers and to apply the rule to pigs and other livestock, not just cattle."

Pacelle held a news conference today to discuss the impending ban.

Timeline:

Feb. 17, 2008—USDA announces recall of 143 million pounds of beef, the nation's largest recall to date, from Hallmark/Westland Meat Co.
Feb. 15, 2008—San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos charges Daniel Ugarte Navarro with five felony counts under California's anti-cruelty statute and three misdemeanor counts alleging the use of a mechanical device to move "downer" cows, and a second worker, Jose Luis Sanchez, with three misdemeanors involving downers.
Feb. 5, 2008—USDA announces it has pulled its inspectors and shut down the cattle slaughter plant that was the subject of an HSUS undercover investigation. USDA Undersecretary Dr. Richard Raymond cites "egregious violations of humane handling regulations" in pulling inspectors from the plant.
Jan. 31, 2008—The HSUS urges schools in 36 states to stop serving Westland meat received through the National School Lunch Program.
Jan. 30, 2008—USDA suspends Westland Meat Co. as a supplier to the National School Lunch Program and other federal nutrition programs, in response to the weeks-long HSUS investigation of the plant.
Jan. 30, 2008—The HSUS reveals weeks-long investigation's findings of widespread mistreatment of nonambulatory dairy cows at a Hallmark Meat Packing Co., of Chino, Calif.
July 13, 2007—USDA reverses course and alters federal regulations to permit some crippled cows to be slaughtered for human consumption.
Jan. 12, 2004—USDA prohibits all downer cattle from being slaughtered for human consumption, in response to the first U.S. case of BSE discovered in Washington State.