Slaughter of Downed Cows Banned in US
Downed dairy cow being dragged to slaughter.
Photo courtesy of Farm Sanctuary.
The US Department of Agriculture has banned the slaughter of "downed" cows. "Downed" animals are those who are too sick, weak or injured to stand on their own. In his weekly radio and video address, President Obama explained how the move is based on a concern for public health:
As part of our commitment to public health, our Agriculture Department is closing a loophole in the system to ensure that diseased cows don't find their way into the food supply.
Although this decision was based on human health concerns, animal rights groups are applauding the decision because of the benefit to the cows. A press release from Farm Sanctuary explains:
The organization's longstanding No Downers Campaign (nodowners.org) was founded in the belief that if downed animals are prevented from entering the food supply, producers would have greater incentive to improve the care of the animals under their charge.
While animal protection groups continue to work to expand the ban to downed pigs, chickens and other animals, the best way to fight factory farming is to go vegan.
So, to summarize the Obama administration on animal issues so far: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar delists wolves under the Endangered Species Act, but Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack bans the slaughter of downed cows. No surprises, since we were expecting Vilsack, but not Salazar, to be animal-friendly.
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Comments
This is a heartbreaking picture. I can not even look at it. I am sure many people feel the same way, and then eat meat. I hope this picture helps to discourage that.
The fact that humans can be so cruel makes me ashamed to be a human. Kudos to Gene and the Farm Sanctuary for shedding light on this dispicable industry. American consumers need to wake up and smell the slaughterhouses where their meats are rendered.
This is such amazing news, and a headline that activists have been working towards for YEARS, if not DECADES. To see it actually come true – just like that in the blink of an eye, or rather, with the swipe of a pen by a newly elected official – is simply amazing. And another reason why voting is so important!!!!! I can only imagine the celebrating that must have occurred at Farm Sanctuary upon the annoucement!