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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Cattle Horror Worker: Just 'Following Orders'

Ag secretary insists meat supply is safe

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(Newser) – A worker shown in a shocking undercover video jabbing apparently sick cows to their feet for slaughter was following orders from management, his lawyer said yesterday. The attorney made the accusation as he negotiated with federal investigators to work out a plea deal for his client, reports the Wall Street Journal. The video triggered a record recall of 143 million pounds of beef from the Hallmark/Westland California operation because such "downer" cows can be a source of mad cow disease.

The worker faces three misdemeanor charges of using equipment to move cows that couldn't walk or stand. Agriculture Secretary Edward Schafer tried to reassure senators yesterday that the beef supply is safe, despite conditions shown in the video. Some lawmakers were skeptical.  "We don't know if that meat that got into the food supply is safe or not," said one senator. "We can't say those things if we don't really know."

This booking photograph shows Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. employee Rafael Sanchez Herrera (previously identified as Jose Luis Sanchez), a suspect arrested in connection with the animal abuse incident at the slaughterhouse. (AP Photo/Chino Police Department)
This booking photograph shows Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. employee Rafael Sanchez Herrera (previously identified as Jose Luis Sanchez), a suspect arrested in connection with the animal abuse incident at...   (Associated Press)
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer speaks testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, before the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on food safety. Food Safety and Inspection Service Administrator Al Almanza looks on at left. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer speaks testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, before the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies...   (Associated Press)
A worker walks on top of cattle carcases scraps dropped into a parked truck at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. Video footage showed workers at Hallmark Meat Packing repeatedly kicking cows and ramming them with the blades of a forklift as the animals squealed in pain. (AP...
A worker walks on top of cattle carcases scraps dropped into a parked truck at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. Video footage showed workers at Hallmark Meat Packing repeatedly...   (Associated Press)
A security guard crosses the lot of Westland/Hallmark Meat Co.in Chino, Calif. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recalled 143 million pounds of frozen beef from this Southern California slaughterhouse, that provided meat to school lunch programs and fast-food chains, after a video surfaced showing cattle being abused and...
A security guard crosses the lot of Westland/Hallmark Meat Co.in Chino, Calif. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recalled 143 million pounds of frozen beef from this Southern California slaughterhouse,...   (Associated Press)
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