USDA closes downer-cow loophole

WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced Tuesday a total ban on the slaughter at meat plants of cows too sick or weak to stand.

The planned change comes in the wake of the nation's largest beef recall. It would shut down an exception — which critics call a loophole — that allows a small number of so-called "downer" cattle into the food supply if they pass veterinary inspection.

Downer cows pose increased risk for mad cow disease, E. coli and other infections, partly because they typically wallow in feces. They are already mostly banned from slaughter, but under current rules can be allowed in if they fall down after passing an initial veterinary inspection, and then are re-inspected and pass that second inspection, too.

Some lawmakers and the Humane Society of the United States have lobbied Schafer to eliminate that exception, and the meat and dairy industry last month reversed its opposition and endorsed the change.

Schafer announced the planned new rule to reporters following a 60-day review of conditions at the nation's slaughterhouses. The department hopes to finalize the rule within several months.

The review was prompted by a 143-million-pound beef recall in February, ordered after the Humane Society released undercover video showing employees abusing downer cows at Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. in Chino, Calif. Downer cows at the plant were forced to slaughter without the required second veterinary inspection, which is why the recall was ordered. Agriculture officials have insisted there was minimal if any health risk.

Schafer said that no such violations have been found at other slaughterhouses. He said the rule change was not being done for public health reasons but should increase consumer confidence by eliminating confusion about the handling of downers.

"I don't think we can justify the confusion that takes place in the consumer's mind," Schafer said.

He also said the change should improve handling of cows by cattle producers and slaughterhouses, "as there will no longer be any market for cattle that are too weak to rise or walk on their own."

The change would affect a small number of cows. Out of 34 million cows slaughtered in 2007, around 2,700 fell down after the initial veterinary inspection and were re-inspected, Schafer said.

Of those, less than 1,000 were then approved to go to slaughter, he said.