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For Immediate Release
January 31, 2008 |
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DeFazio, Shays Renew
Calls for the Humane Treatment of Farm Animals in the Wake
of Cruelty at California Plant
Washington, D.C. – An investigation undertaken by The
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has revealed widespread
mistreatment of “downed” dairy cows — those
who are too sick or injured to walk — at a Southern
California slaughter plant.
In a video released by the HSUS, workers at a meat packing
plant in California, are seen kicking cows, ramming them with
the blades of a forklift, jabbing them in the eyes, applying
painful electrical shocks and even torturing them with a hose
and water in attempts to force sick or injured animals to
walk to slaughter. Additionally alarming is that the slaughterhouse
supplies beef to school children in more than 36 states.
"Frankly, I am stunned that beef from downed animals
may have been served in school lunches,” DeFazio said.
“Most cases of mad cow disease have come from downed
cattle, these animals are far more likely to be contaminated
with e coli, and now we’re feeding this stuff to kids?
It is past time that Congress act to protect the food supply
by passing legislation introduced by Rep. Shays and myself
which would have prevented this from happening. We will push
for passage to ensure that our children aren't put at this
risk again.”
"The humane treatment of animals speaks to our nation’s
core values, and this cruelty reflects poorly on our country
as a whole" Shays said. "Our government can have
a tremendous impact in encouraging improved treatment of animals
by requiring producers to meet basic federal animal welfare
requirements. I look forward to working with Rep. DeFazio
to ensure passage of the Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing
Act."
H.R. 1726, the Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act will
require more humane treatment for farm animals raised for
consumption. The bill will require those supplying farm animal
products to the federal government to meet a set of basic
humane standards for raising farm animals, including a ban
on gestation crates.
Contact: Dave Natonski , 202/225-5541
Contact:
Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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