close this window
A Safer, Kinder, Hamburger this Labor Day
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is no longer down with downer cows.
In the wake of the failing consumer confidence over the safety of America’s beef, the USDA proposed a new rule this week that would amend the cattle inspection process.
Earlier this year, the agency conducted investigations, largely prompted by Humane Society allegations that “downer cows” were not properly inspected at the California Westland/Hallmark Meat Packing Company, and were allowed to enter the U.S. food system. Downer cows are animals that are injured and/or sick and unable to walk.
Plant operations were ordered suspended when federal officials reviewed videotapes that showed (now former) Hallmark employees shoving sick and crippled animals with a forklift, along with other abuses.
This prompted the USDA’s largest beef recall — more than 143 million pounds of frozen meat — much of it to school lunch programs.
Concern over a case of mad-cow disease discovered in Washington state originally prompted USDA officials to tighten regulations in 2004 concerning downer cows, but the “second inspection” policy allowed animals to enter the food system. Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that 34 million cattle were slaughtered in 2007 and less than 1,000 cattle re-inspected were approved for slaughter.
FSIS inspectors (all licensed veterinarians) could re-examine cows tagged as “US Suspects,” that had become injured or sick —but had passed the first inspection — on a case-by-case basis to determine if they should be allowed to proceed to slaughter. (USDA spokesperson Amanda Eamich said “the regulations state that an FSIS inspector must be present at all times during all shifts at slaughterhouses, and that there are at least two inspections per shift.”)
The new ruling would require that any animal that becomes disabled following initial ante-slaughter inspection to be condemned, tagged as “US Condemned.” Officials say this prevents the possibility of disabled or ill animals entering the U.S. or export food systems.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer says this proposal eliminates any animal unsuitable for food consumption and offers a humane method for disposing of condemned cows.
“I believe it is sound policy to simplify this matter by initiating a complete ban on the slaughter of downer cattle.”
Sign up for our free e-newsletter.
Are you on Facebook? Become our fan.
Follow us on Twitter.
word on the street
more in this section
The Perceived Delicacy of the Female Conductor
Pressure to Conform Can Inspire Creativity
Children’s Books Increasingly Ignore Natural World
Morning People May Be More Creative in the Afternoon
Sex on the Brain Proves Costly for Men
Bitter About Your Life? Blame Facebook
‘Fair Trade’ Chocolate Perceived as Healthier
How the Unconscious Mind Boosts Creative Output
For Better Grades, Try Bach in the Background
College Football Wins Lower Guys’ GPA
also by this author
Barbara HesselgraveBarbara Hesselgrave is a freelance writer in Virginia specializing in issues of community medicine, science and international health....
Quality Health Care Still Lacking For SomeAll those nagging issues from a year or so of Miller-McCune health coverage show up in the nation’s health report card.
Under the Glass Ceiling? Throw Stones!As Black History Month segues into Women’s History Month, it’s a fit time to review the challenges still facing African-American women climbing the corporate ladder in the Age of Obama.
New Species Jump in Ebola-Reston OutbreakThere’s a new, and potentially serious feature to the recent Miller-Mccune story on Ebola virus.
Receive 1 year (6 issues) of our print magazine for just $14.95. Miller-McCune features polished, in-depth reports on research and solutions across the policy spectrum — from health care, education and energy to international affairs, poverty and the global economy. It's a must read for well-informed and solutions-driven individuals.
follow us on:
join our newsletter:
from the source
The wage gap between the sexes in America has been closing much faster than anyone realized, but that’s tempered by learning it’s been much wider than measurements had shown.
An effort to identify five performing orcas as slaves failed in part, argues one scholar, because there’s no legal precedent establishing them as persons.
Transportation used to be one of the few guaranteed areas of agreement when ideology trumped pragmatism in D.C. But that’s no longer the case.
A lot of people say they watch the Super Bowl mostly for the ads. But it turns out a good game surrounding those ads makes them seem better.
After decades of obstacles hindering the voting process, new laws will allow overseas and military voters to submit their votes in time for the 2012 election.
