March 3, 2008

USDA to intensify monitoring on farms with vulnerable livestock

The USDA said it would direct more efforts on inspecting plants that handle animals most prone to stress, such as dairy or veal cattle.

The announcement came shortly after the reported animal mishandling by Hallmark/Westland, which prompted the largest beef recall in the history of the US.

The agency said it would launch a series of interim actions to verify and analyze humane handling activities in all federally inspected establishments.

The USDA explained that it needs to focus surveillance and inspection activities at establishments where older or potentially distressed animals are slaughtered, such as plants that handle dairy or veal cattle.

Inspection activities will be prioritized based on the category of livestock handled at the facility, humane handling data, observations made at the facility during regular inspection and a plant's operating schedule, the USDA pointed.

After USDA completes its current investigation, it will determine whether or not it needs to make any inspection policy changes.