Feinstein seeks to end slaughter of downed animals
California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein last week urged the Department of Agriculture to vigorously enforce federal laws that outlaw the inhumane treatment and slaughter of food animals, following the release of a video that documented cases of animal cruelty in slaughterhouses.
"It is my belief that the conditions in these plants reflect a system that accepts brutality, and I call on you to hold the offenders within the industry, and the Department, accountable for their actions," Feinstein wrote in a letter to the Department of Agriculture.
In March 2008, Feinstein introduced the Downed Animal Enforcement Act, which would make it illegal for all non-ambulatory livestock to enter the food supply and would levy penalties on slaughter facilities that don't comply with federal law, according to a news release from the lawmaker's office.
The USDA in March issued regulations to prohibit the inhumane slaughter of downed cattle.
However, Feinstein contends more can be done and intends to introduce legislation that will:
-- Close any loopholes that allow for the continued slaughter of downed calves.
-- Authorize new funding to hire additional inspectors.
-- Create an Office of Humane Slaughter within the Food Safety Inspection Service.
The video released of the Bushway slaughterhouse in Vermont is the latest in a string of videos by the Humane Society of the United States that document inhumane treatment in slaughterhouses, livestock auctions and stockyard facilities.
One of the videos, which documented problems at the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company's meat packing plant in Chino, led the USDA to recall 143 million pounds of beef in February 2008. The plant was shut down.
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