April 23, 2008

US meat and dairy industry groups back total ban on downer cattle
 

Major meat and dairy industry groups in the US supported a total ban on downer cattle from entering the food supply.

The American Meat Institute, National Meat Association and National Milk Producers Federation said they had formally requested the USDA to enact a total ban on downer cattle.

Watchdog groups and some congressmen have called for such a ban in the wake of the largest beef recall from a southern California slaughterhouse in February, but the industry had opposed the request.

At present, the law forbids slaughter of most cows that cannot stand, or downers, but lets them in if they fall after passing a veterinarian's inspections and are then re-inspected.

That was a loophole, according to advocacy groups, but the USDA and the meat industry opposed changing it.

The industry has now reconsidered after being pressured by Congress and outside groups.