Capitol Building

Washington, Dec 9, 2008 -

In response to the Audit Report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding an investigation of the Westland/Hallmark slaughterhouse in Chino, California,  Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) renewed his call today for the USDA to amend the federal meat inspection regulations to impose an absolute ban on the slaughter of all cattle intended for human consumption that become non-ambulatory after the initial inspection by the Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS).

Currently, federal regulations require that the FSIS inspect cattle before slaughter for human consumption; however, a gap exists between the time that the cows are examined and when the cows are slaughtered.  During this period, it is possible for some cattle to become non-ambulatory, or downed, a condition where the cow is not able to stand or walk on its own.  These cows pose a significant health risk if allowed to enter the human food supply due to the increased likeliness of downers to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or “mad cow disease”.

“In April 2008, the Domestic Policy Subcommittee, of which I am the Chair, held a hearing to examine the adequacy of the USDA’s oversight of the nation’s slaughterhouses.  The hearing revealed significant gaps in USDA oversight of both the humane treatment of cattle and the safety of slaughterhouse operations.  This report today reaffirms the seriousness of those gaps and possibility for abuse,” stated Kucinich

In the Audit Report, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) “concluded that there is an inherent vulnerability that humane handling violations can occur and not be detected by FSIS inspectors because FSIS does not provide continuous surveillance of all operating areas within a slaughter establishment at all times . . . animals slaughtered at cull slaughter establishments, like Hallmark, are in a generally weak physical condition, which increases the risk that humane handling violations can occur as establishment employees attempt to move the animals from the unloading areas to the holding pens to slaughter.”

Furthermore, the audit “determined that there were deliberate actions by Hallmark personnel to bypass required inspections, as well as noncompliance with required inspection procedures by FSIS in-plant staff.  Supervisory and other management controls did not detect and/or prevent these incidents.”

“In the April 2008 hearing, it was pointed out that cameras could be installed in slaughterhouses in order to provide oversight at slaughterhouses.  I urge the USDA to examine the feasibility of such a proposal,” added Kucinich.

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