By now most have heard about the largest meat recall in U.S. history, recently reported. (143 million lbs of beef from the Hallmark/Westland slaughter plant) This meat recall is notable not only because of its size but also because this is the first time we've ever heard of a recall being reported due to animal abuse. It usually takes a human illness/death for a recall to be issued. Big thanks to The Humane Society of theUnited Statesfor blowing this investigation wide open!
You never get used to seeing footage like that. It's heartbreaking and completely infuriating. This meat recall is essentially about food safety, but again, what brought it to light is the footage of abused helpless cows; since no illnesses from eating this meat have been reported. We consider this incredible progress over concern for farm animal well-being.
People are outraged and NOW is our chance to help make a difference for Downers. (downed animals too sick to stand, much less walk).The Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act (HR 661/ S 394)would ban the slaughter of ALL downed animals, including pigs, sheep and other livestock. We need you to contact your senators and representatives to ask them to support this bill. We also need you to ask the USDA to close the current loophole that currently allows some downed cattle to go to slaughter and to prevent diseased animals from being used for human food. This needs to be stopped. Otherwise, the abuse of downed animals in order to get them to the slaughter line will continue on various levels.
Farm Sanctuary has a great page on their site chalked full of information as to how you can help, sample letters, and more information about Downers. This is really important that we speak out on this. Please check out this link and do everything you can:http://www.farmsanctuary.org/get_involved/update_downed_animals08.html
And if you haven't seen the report on this recall by HSUS you can see the video footage here. Warning: it is heartbreaking.https://community.hsus.org/campaign/CA_2008_investigation?qp_source=gaba5n
Thanks for your help!
SOO