Senator Boxer Asks USDA and California AG to Investigate Meat Processing Plant
By newsdesk - Posted on January 31st, 2008
January 30, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today wrote to both U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and California Attorney General Jerry Brown calling for an immediate investigation of a California meat processing plant, in light of an under cover report released today that documents numerous potential violations of laws intended to prevent animal cruelty and preserve food safety.
The text of the letters follows:
January 30, 2008
The Honorable Ed Schafer
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Schafer:
I write to bring to your attention a report released today by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that details a number of possible federal law violations at the Hallmark Meat Packing Company, a cattle processing plant in Chino, California. Using undercover video surveillance, HSUS documented illegal animal handling practices that include the use of electric cattle prods and the use of forklifts and high-velocity water sprays to get “downed” cattle on their feet for inspection.
These practices are not only inhumane, but can also cause food borne illnesses that can endanger public health. According to USDA, downed cattle are 58 times more likely to carry mad cow disease than other cattle. Downed cattle also are more likely to carry other food-borne illnesses like E. coli and Salmonella, which kill hundreds of Americans every year.
The videotape is even more concerning in light of the fact that meat processed from this facility is being used in school lunch programs and in programs for needy families and the elderly. Infants, children and the elderly are more likely to experience severe illness and hospitalization from E. coli and Salmonella than the rest of the population.
Despite USDA regulations that prohibit downed cattle from entering the food supply, a loophole in the administration of this rule has allowed some downed cattle to be slaughtered for food. The actions taken by the slaughterhouse employees in the video to get downed cattle on their feet for inspection highlight the need to close that loophole.
As a result of the HSUS footage, I call on your agency to immediately investigate possible legal violations at the Hallmark Meat Packing Company in Chino, California, and to take further appropriate actions if it is discovered that federal law was violated. I also call on you to take steps to prohibit all downed animals from entering the food supply to protect public health.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
January 30, 2008
The Honorable Edmund G. Brown Jr.
Attorney General
State of California
PO Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Dear Attorney General Brown:
I write to bring to your attention a report released today by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that details a number of possible violations of state law at the Hallmark Meat Packing Company, a cattle processing plant in Chino, California. Using undercover video surveillance, HSUS documented illegal animal handling practices that include the use of electric cattle prods and the use of forklifts and high-velocity water sprays to get “downed” cattle on their feet for inspection.
These practices are not only inhumane, but can also cause food borne illnesses that can endanger public health. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), downed cattle are 58 times more likely to carry mad cow disease than other cattle. Downed cattle also are more likely to carry other food-borne illnesses like E. coli and Salmonella, which kill hundreds of Americans every year.
The videotape is even more concerning in light of the fact that meat processed from this facility is being used in school lunch programs and in programs for needy families and the elderly. Infants, children and the elderly are more likely to experience severe illness and hospitalization from E. coli and Salmonella than the rest of the population.
Earlier today I urged USDA Secretary Schafer to conduct an immediate investigation, and he has already publicly indicated that his agency is taking the allegations of legal violations at this plant seriously.
As California’s chief law enforcement official, I know you must share my concern about possible violations of state law that could endanger public health. I encourage your office to immediately initiate an investigation into this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you at the federal level.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Source: Senator Barbara Boxer
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