Current Press Releases

Farm Sanctuary Responds to Meat and Dairy Industry's Move to Ban Downed Cattle from Entering Human Food Supply

Washington, D.C. - April 23, 2008 - Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, today released a statement in response to the meat and dairy industry's backing of a ban on downed cattle entering the human food supply. For the past 22 years, Farm Sanctuary has run a national No Downers Campaign working to end the marketing of downed animals, and has been instrumental in passage of state legislation concerning downers, gained the first animal cruelty convictions concerning the mistreatment of downed animals at stockyards in the U.S., and was instrumental in urging the USDA to enact a downers ban.

Julie Janovsky, director of campaigns for Farm Sanctuary, had this to say in response to the meat and dairy industry's announcement regarding downed cattle:

"We are pleased that our efforts throughout the past 20 plus years, as well as the efforts of other organizations, have finally compelled the meat and dairy industry to support a total ban on downed cattle entering the human food supply. It's unfortunate that the industry had to be exposed and then coerced into doing the right thing for consumer protection and animal welfare. Farm Sanctuary is encouraged that some animals will be spared unnecessary suffering should this full ban be codified to end the marketing of downed cattle. We look forward to advancing federal legislation to ensure that all downed animals, not just cattle, are protected from being dragged, kicked and prodded to slaughter, and hope that industry will be consistent in its support."

Farm Sanctuary is asking concerned citizens to contact their legislators in support of two pieces of federal legislation that would officially close any loopholes in the downer ban and impose stricter punishments for violations of the downer ban.

1. The Downed Animal Protection and Food Safety Act (H.R. 661, S. 394) would ensure that "downers" will be kept out of the human food supply. This bill will remedy the shortcomings of current USDA regulations regarding downed animals by requiring the immediate, humane euthanasia of all animals who become nonambulatory.

2. The Downed Animal Enforcement Act (S. 2770), introduced by Sen. Diane Feinstein (D - California) would discourage the abuse of downed animals through stricter penalties for offenders, increasing fines for those who slaughter downed animals and allow inspectors to suspend operations at facilities that slaughter downed animals with more ease.

More information on pending federal legislation related to downed animals can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org/issues/legislation/. More information on the history of Farm Sanctuary's No Downers Campaign can be found at www.nodowners.org/timeline.htm.

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.