The HSUS Applauds USDA for Partial Ban on Slaughter of Downed Farm Animals and Urges Congress to Pass Blanket "No Downer" Law

WASHINGTON (July 12, 2007) – The Humane Society of the United States had a generally favorable reaction today to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement of a permanent ban on slaughtering most cattle unable to stand and walk under their own power as a result of illness, injury, or a combination of illness and injury. The HSUS does object, however, to a relatively narrow loophole in the regulation that allows some downer cattle to continue to be slaughtered for human consumption.

The USDA announced an interim policy against slaughtering all downed cattle in 2004 after a reportedly downed cow in Washington State was found to have mad cow disease. The policy announced today makes official a loophole that was uncovered last year by the agency’s own Inspector General (IG) – cows who become nonambulatory after their initial inspection at a slaughterplant are still being processed for human food. The IG’s January 2006 audit found that 29 downer cows had been slaughtered for food, out of a sample of just 12 facilities checked during a 10-month period. The IG noted the lack of documentation on the animals’ fitness for consumption and observed that the animals had been transported by forklift. 

“A permanent ban on slaughtering downed cattle is very sound public policy,” said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO. “The USDA should have a complete ban on slaughtering downers as a way to improve the treatment of farm animals and safeguard the nation’s food supply.”

“There’s really no reason a cow should suddenly fall over while moving through the chutes unless there’s illness or improper handling,” Pacelle added. “Allowing these animals to be processed is cruel and does not establish the food safety standards USDA should strive to meet. The loophole that USDA acknowledged and made official today should be closed.”

The HSUS has actively pushed Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for more than a decade to ban slaughtering downed animals because of the pain and suffering the animals endure. The effort to ban the slaughter of downed animals took on new urgency when the link between downed cattle and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) became clear. Of the 14 known cases of BSE-positive animals discovered in North America, at least 12 involved downed animals.

Downed animals are routinely left for days without food, water or veterinary care. They have been dragged with chains, prodded with electric shocks and pushed with bulldozers in an effort to forcibly move them to slaughter.

A complete “no downer” policy encourages better treatment of animals on the farm and during transportation to slaughter to avoid preventable injuries.

Representatives Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) and Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) introduced H.R. 661, the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act, in the House, and Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) introduced identical legislation in the Senate, S. 394. That legislation would establish, as a matter of law, a comprehensive ban on slaughter of any downed cattle, ban the slaughter of downed pigs and other farm animals, and prevent the USDA from reversing its administrative downer ban.

“While we are generally pleased with the announcement today, The Humane Society of the United States will continue to push for the adoption of a law approved by Congress to prevent the inhumane treatment of downed animals and to establish a stricter food safety standard,” said Pacelle.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty.