California Rancher urges adoption
of 'No Downer' Policy

March 24, 1999

Honorable Richard Pombo
Chairman of the Livestock subcommittee
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Pombo,

I am writing to you about an issue that adversely effects the beef industry in California and throughout the United States, and I ask that this letter be included in the record of the March 29th, 1999 Stockton, CA Livestock subcommittee field hearing.

As a rancher whose business depends on consumer confidence in the safety of our food supply, I urge you and other members of Congress to prevent nonambulatory livestock, specifically those animals who are too sick or injured to stand, from being marketed and slaughtered under USDA inspection.

When consumers see pictures and videotape showing the transportation and handling of nonambulatory livestock, they are understandably upset. It is impossible to move these animals humanely, and it is hard to imagine anything worse for consumer confidence than for nonambulatory livestock to enter the food supply.

No conscientious livestock producer markets nonambulatory livestock, and it is now illegal to sell these animals at auctions in California. However, a few unscrupulous individuals are selling downed livestock for slaughter at USDA plants, and they give the rest of us a bad name.

We hope you will take the necessary steps to prevent the USDA from allowing these debilitated animals from being used for human food. Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely yours,

Garen Wimer