Latest Potential Mad Cow Case Demands Immediate Action on Downer Ban

WASHINGTON - The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization speaking on behalf of one out of 31 Americans, demands the U.S. Department of Agriculture finalize a temporary ban on slaughtering downer livestock in response to the discovery of what could be the tenth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease discovered in North America.

Should additional tests confirm the preliminary positive finding of BSE infection, the latest suspected North American mad cow would be the fourth discovered in only six months. Like eight of the nine already confirmed BSE-infected cows in North America, the most recent mad cow was also a downer—an animal too sick or injured to walk.

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture is long overdue in permanently banning downers from the human food supply," said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO.

After the first domestic discovery of a BSE-infected downed cow in December 2003, the USDA published an emergency rule banning the processing of any downer cattle. Despite six additional confirmed cases of mad cows discovered after that interim rule went into effect, the USDA has yet to finalize the ban, and a report released earlier this year by the USDA's Inspector General found that 29 non-ambulatory animals were slaughtered for food at a sample of 12 slaughterhouses checked during a 10-month period.

Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Representatives Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Steve LaTourette (R-OH) have introduced legislation—S. 1779 and H.R. 3931—to codify the downer cattle ban and to extend it to apply to pigs and other livestock.

"The latest discovery of another diseased animal is a reminder to Congress to put into statute a ban on the processing of any downer livestock," said Pacelle. "There is no reason to play Russian roulette with the food supply, nor is there any reason to torment non-ambulatory livestock by dragging or pushing them into slaughterhouses with chains, bulldozers, or forklifts."

Although some within industry and Congress favor allowing cows downed due to injury back into the human food supply, arguing that they pose no public health risk, the facts prove otherwise: At least three of the identified BSE-infected cows discovered so far in North America were thought to be downed due to injuries. An animal may break a leg after stumbling due to disease causing weakness and disorientation, and USDA inspectors cannot reliably sort out the reason an animal is non-ambulatory. A comprehensive ban on all downed cattle will better protect public health and animal welfare. "After all, a downed cow with a broken leg will suffer just as much as a sick one if she's dragged through a slaughterhouse - maybe even more," noted Pacelle.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The non-profit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at hsus.org.

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