Current Press Releases

Farm Sanctuary Renews Call for No Downer Policy Amid Discovery of Mad Cow Disease in Another Downed Cow

Confirmation of BSE in Non-Ambulatory Alabama Beef Cow Raises Concerns about USDA's Refusal to Make Ban on Downed Animals Entering the Food Supply Permanent

Watkins Glen, NY - March 15, 2006 - After a third case of "mad cow" disease has been confirmed in the U.S. in a "downed" cow - meaning a cow too sick or injured to stand - Farm Sanctuary has reissued a call for a full and permanent ban on downed animals entering the food supply. The majority of confirmed cases of mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE) confirmed in North America were in downed animals. Farm Sanctuary is urging the USDA to make permanent its temporary ban on slaughtering downed cattle for human food, and it is supporting passage of federal legislation to ban the marketing and slaughter of downed animals.

"It appears more than anecdotal that almost all of the mad cow cases reported in U.S. and Canada were from downed animals" said U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), sponsor of the Downed Animal Protection Act, which would permanently ban the use of all downer animals from the food supply. "For the sake of the health and safety of the American people as well as for humane reasons, it should be absolutely obvious to the bureaucrats and lawmakers that there is no way that any downer should be allowed to enter the food chain and that these animals must be humanely euthanized, rather than eaten."

The latest U.S. cow found to be infected with Mad Cow Disease is believed to be about 10 years old and was described as "non-ambulatory" by the USDA. Officials speculate that she may have been infected after eating contaminated feed.

"In addition to BSE, downed animals are more likely to be contaminated with fecal pathogens and other diseases, and it is impossible to move them humanely," said Gene Baur (formerly Bauston), president and cofounder of Farm Sanctuary, an organization that has worked to end the marketing of downed animals since its inception, 20 years ago.

Additional information about Farm Sanctuary's campaign to permanently end the marketing of downer cattle can be found at http://www.nodowners.org.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.