Agriculture Secretary Bans Slaughter of ‘Downer’ Cows
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WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced yesterday a total ban on meat plant slaughter of cows too sick or weak to stand.
The planned change comes in the wake of the nation’s largest beef recall. It would shut down an exception — which critics call a loophole — that allows a small number of so-called “downer” cattle into the food supply if they pass veterinary inspection.
Downer cows pose increased risk for mad cow disease and other infections, partly because they typically wallow in feces. They are already mostly banned from slaughter, but under current rules can be allowed in if they fall down after passing an initial veterinary inspection, and then are re-inspected and pass that second inspection, too. Some lawmakers and the Humane Society have lobbied Mr. Schafer to eliminate that exception, and the meat and dairy industry last month reversed its opposition and endorsed the change too.
Mr. Schafer announced the planned new rule at a meeting with reporters following a 60-day review of conditions at the nation’s slaughterhouses. The department plans to expedite publication of the rule and hopes to finalize it within several months.
The review was prompted by a 143 million-pound beef recall in February, ordered after the Humane Society released undercover video showing plant employees abusing downer cows at Chino, Calif.-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. At the plant, downer cows were forced to slaughter without the required second veterinary inspection, which is why the recall was ordered.
Mr. Schafer said that no such violations have been found at other slaughterhouses. He said the rule change was not being done for public health reasons but should increase consumer confidence by eliminating confusion about why some downed cows were being allowed into the food supply.
“I don’t think we can justify the confusion that takes place in the consumer’s mind,” he said.
He also said the change should increase humane handling of cows by producers and slaughterhouses “as there will no longer be any market for cattle that are too weak to rise or walk on their own.”
