USDA Downed Animal Ban Under Attack by Agribusiness

On December 30, 2003, the USDA implemented several measures to address public concern over the discovery of mad cow disease (a.k.a. bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE) in the United States, including a ban on the slaughter of downed cattle, animals too sick to stand, for human food. Alarmingly, agribusiness and their legislative allies in Washington, DC are lobbying the USDA to lift the downer ban.

The USDA was accepting public comments on its downer ban until May 7, 2004. Thousands of citizens across America contacted the USDA, urging the agency to retain their ban on downer cows, and urgeing the agency to expand the ban on downers to include other species, such as sheep and pigs. This public comment period provided a rare opportunity to formally express concerns about the irresponsible and inhumane marketing and slaughter of downed animals. A subsequent report analyzing the public comments submitted found that of the approximately 22,000 public comments received, 99% of them supported the downer ban and wanted it strengthened.

The USDA's recent downed cow ban represents a long overdue policy shift, and it is imperative that we do everything in our power to maintain it, and hopefully to expand it.

To read the USDA's interim final rule on the "Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle" and their request for comments, please click here.

To read Farm Sanctuary's comments, click here.

20 Year History of Farm Sanctuary's No Downers Campaign
Newspaper Articles Regarding Historic USDA Policy