Federal Action Came in Response to HSUS Investigation Revealing Cruelty to Downed Dairy Cows
The Humane Society of the United States commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its announcement last evening that it has pulled its inspectors and shut down the cattle slaughter plant that was the subject of a long-term HSUS undercover investigation. In a statement posted last night, USDA Undersecretary Dr. Richard Raymond cited "egregious violations of humane handling regulations" in pulling inspectors from the plant. Hallmark Meat Packing and Westland Meat Co., based in Chino, Calif., slaughtered about 500 cows a day, most of them "spent" dairy cows.
"The cruelty we uncovered at the Hallmark slaughter plant was appalling and unacceptable, and USDA has rightly put a stop to operations at this facility," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "Our nation should have a zero tolerance policy for cruelty to farm animals and especially for the slaughter of downed cows, who are sick or injured and unable to walk."
Hallmark voluntarily suspended operations after the release of HSUS' investigative results, but the action by USDA removes any discretionary action by this company. Last week, on the same day that HSUS released video from its investigation, USDA indefinitely suspended the eligibility of Westland Meat Co. to participate as a supplier to federal food and nutrition programs, specifically the National School Lunch Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. The HSUS called on USDA last week to stop the plant from operating and providing food to any consumers (not just to federal programs), and that is now effectively what has happened with last night's action.
"We hope now that local law enforcement authorities bring appropriate criminal charges against the people who violated the laws of the state of California," added Pacelle. "Local, state and federal agencies have borne incredible costs to keep questionable beef out of school cafeterias across the country, and many animals suffered."
Westland distributed ground beef to locations in 36 states, and most of these states have stopped serving beef from Westland to school children. And several fast food companies have terminated their relationships with Westland.
Video footage from the HSUS investigation is available at humanesociety.org. Media outlets can download B-roll and soundbites at http://video.hsus.org.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10.5 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 -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
