Current Press Releases

USDA Knowingly Approves Diseased Animals for Human Food Farm Sanctuary Renews Call for Ban on Downed Animal Slaughter

Watkins Glen, NY - December 29, 2003 - Even before the December 23, 2003 announcement that mad cow disease was found in a downed cow in Washington state, the USDA was aware that downed animals could have mad cow disease, and that infected animals could pass USDA inspections and enter the food supply.

According to a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2003, USDA stated, "Thus, if BSE were present in the United States, downer cattle infected with BSE could potentially be offered for slaughter and, if the clinical disease were not detected, pass ante mortem inspection. These cattle could then be slaughtered for human or animal food."

Downed animals are afflicted with a myriad of ailments besides mad cow disease. USDA records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show that USDA explicitly approved the consumption of meat from downed animals afflicted with hepatitis, gangrene, pneumonia, malignant lymphoma, and other ailments. Downer animals are also more likely to harbor bacterial contamination than walking animals.

Farm Sanctuary petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the USDA to ban downed animal slaughter in 1998. While the FDA has not yet formally responded, the USDA formally denied the petition in 1999 in a letter stating, "The FMIA [Federal Meat Inspection Act], FSIS regulations, and past practices clearly provide for the slaughter and processing of diseased animals for human food." Farm Sanctuary responded by filing a lawsuit against the USDA. The lawsuit was originally dismissed, but was reinstated by a federal appellate court on December 16, 2003.

Farm Sanctuary has renewed its call for a ban on downed animal slaughter. Today, the organization sent a letter to FDA, urging that the downed animal petition [docket number 98P-0151/CP1] be granted, and it remains involved in litigation against the USDA.

"Rather than protecting consumers by preventing high-risk animals from entering the food supply, the USDA encourages the slaughter of sick animals for human food. Most downed animals brought to USDA facilities are slaughtered for food, and they are not tested for mad cow disease. We are calling upon the FDA and the USDA to immediately ban the slaughter of downed animals and to serve the public's interest, rather than the interest of agribusiness," states Gene Baur (formerly Bauston), Farm Sanctuary president.

For more information, please see www.nodowners.org.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.