U.S.D.A.
Takes Steps To Enforce Humane Slaughter Act
Downed Animal Protection Act Attached to Farm Bill
In an attempt to bring the nation’s slaughterhouses
into compliance with the Humane Slaughter Act of 1958,
the USDA has pledged to hire 17 more veterinarians,
according to AP news reports. They have also promised
to create an electronic database to begin tracking
violations and give inspectors a way to report violators
to a centralized system. The move comes after a Washington
Post expose publicized that improper stunning
of animals is routine in slaughterhouses, leading
to situations where animals are skinned, dismembered,
or even boiled while still alive. Following that coverage,
Congress gave the USDA more money specifically for
humane slaughter enforcement, and passed resolutions
calling on the USDA to enforce the law.
What's more, the Downed Animal Protection Act was
attached to the Farm Bill in both houses of Congress.
However, opponents of this bill will continue to try
to scuttle its progress. Please contact both your
Senators and ask them to "Please cosponsor
S. 267, the Downed Animal Protection Act." Click
here to find your Senators, or just email us and
ask for their contact info at [email protected].
Your calls make a huge difference!
The Downed Animal Protection Act prohibits stockyards
from selling or transferring "downed animals",
farm animals that due to illness or injury are too
lame to walk, requiring instead that they be humanely
euthanized. Such animals are often treated with extreme
cruelty, chained to the backs of trucks and dragged
or thrown in piles to slowly starve. In addition to
sparing these injured animals enormous suffering,
this legislation will create a strong disincentive
to allowing animals to become lame in the first place.
