Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

USDA to Ban 'Downer' Cattle

Bid to boost confidence in beef

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted May 21, 2008 2:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – The USDA plans to ban all so-called "downer" cattle from the food supply to safeguard consumers from illnesses such as mad cow disease. Such animals are too weak or injured to walk, which can often be an indication of illness. Disturbing video of workers in a California slaughterhouse using electric prods and a fork lift on cattle unable to stand, which prompted the move, triggered the largest beef recall in US history.

Under current regulations, downer cattle are not supposed to enter the food supply, but exceptions are allowed if a veterinarian rules that the animal is not ill; that loophole would be closed by the rules change. "There should no longer be even a slim possibility of transporting a cow to market that is too weak to walk on its own," said the agriculture secretary. A full ban would also reduce the likelihood that weakened animals will be "subjected to inhumane handling at processing plants," he said.

Dairy farmers like Harold Ellenbecker stand to lose farm income because the USDA plans to tightens its ban on downer cattle.
Dairy farmers like Harold Ellenbecker stand to lose farm income because the USDA plans to tightens its ban on downer cattle.   (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
A worker walks on top of cattle carcases at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. Video showed workers repeatedly kicking cows and ramming them with the blades of a forklift.
A worker walks on top of cattle carcases at the Hallmark Meat Packing slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. Video showed workers repeatedly kicking cows and ramming them with the blades of a forklift.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Agriculture Sec. Ed Schafer will propose new rules banning sick and injured cattle from the food supply.
Agriculture Sec. Ed Schafer will propose new rules banning sick and injured cattle from the food supply.   (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Meat Company Chief Admits Sick Cows Were Slaughtered

Cattle Horror Worker: Just 'Following Orders'

Disgraced Meatpacker to Close Doors

Picky Eater Decodes the Beef Scare

USDA Recalls 143M Lbs of Beef


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne