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Ban on "Downed" Farm Animals
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns,
the former Nebraska governor who told Congress that
he endorsed the USDA's ban on processing downer
animals for human consumption, appears to be backpedaling
on the issue. Apparently caving to industry pressure,
Secretary Johanns recently indicated the USDA may
allow animals unable to walk due to injury into the
U.S. food supply.
This policy shift would pose significant
risks to humans, and cause terrible harm to cattle.
To date, three out of the five cows diagnosed with
mad cow disease in North America have
been identified as downers due to injuries, not illness.
Allowing even one downed cow into the U.S. food supply
represents an unacceptable risk for Americans.
But just as important, changing the
USDA policy on downers would dramatically worsen the
lives of animals already compromised by injury. If
allowed into the food supply, these crippled creatures
would be dragged by chains, or pushed by a bulldozer,
to get them to slaughter. The pain would be unimaginable.
There's no reason for the USDA
to change its position on downers, other than
to appease the beef and cattle industry. Make sure
that Secretary Johanns knows that the public is watching
this issue closely and that the people don't
want any agency backpedaling on the downer ban.
Please write to Secretary Johanns
and urge him not to weaken the ban on downed animals.
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