USDA to Ban Slaughter of "Downer" Cattle

The USDA has announced that it will propose a new federal regulation prohibiting the slaughter of "downed" or non-ambulatory beef cattle for use in the U.S. food supply.

Under current regulations, cattle that have passed a "pre-slaughter" USDA inspection, but are later found to be non-ambulatory can still be slaughtered and processed after inspection by a government veterinarian. The rule to be proposed by the USDA would wipe out this so-called “downer rule.”

Beef products from downer cattle have been identified as a possible source of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease in humans.

According to Sec. of Agriculture Ed Schafer, the action is being taken to help restore the public's confidence in the safety of the American food supply.

"To maintain consumer confidence in the food supply, eliminate further misunderstanding of the rule and, ultimately, to make a positive impact on the humane handling of cattle, I believe it is sound policy to simplify this matter by initiating a complete ban on the slaughter of downer cattle that go down after initial inspection," said Sec. Schafer in a press release.

The USDA's action comes on the heels of the largest beef recall in the nation's history, which resulted from the improper and inhumane slaughter of downed cattle at a Chino, California meat packing plant.

Of that incident, Schafer said, "We found clear evidence that rules weren't being followed which resulted in USDA calling for the largest beef recall in American history – a clear sign that we took these inhumane violations seriously. Rules have purpose, and when you violate them, there are consequences."

Also See:
USDA Explains, Responds to Record Beef Recall
The 2003 Mad Cow Beef Recall