The following is from the NAFB News Service:
A California meat company has been temporarily shut down by federal inspectors due to evidence of egregious, inhumane handling and treatment of livestock. The inspectors recently viewed a video made last month at the Central Valley Meat Company by an investiagtor for the Compassion Over Killing animal rights group. A USDA spokesperson told ABC News that several humane handling violations were confirmed. The Food Safety and Inspection Service not only suspended operations at the facility – but is prepared to take further action as warranted by the investigation. Dr. Dave Daley is Associate Dean for the College of Agriculture at California State University and an active member of the cattle community. He says the actions depicted in the undercover videos are disgraceful and not representative of the cattle community. He adds that the vast majority of cattlemen stand firm in adhering to the absolute best animal care and handling guidelines established by veterinarians and other experts. In fact – Daley says cattlemen believe those knowingly and willfully committing any abuse to animals should not be in the business.
Daley notes the farmer and rancher code of conduct within Beef Quality Assurance has been in place since 1996 and condemns the mistreatment of animals. He says the belief is that any individual who witnesses inappropriate animal treatment is responsible for making every effort to stop it immediately – and anyone who mistreats animals must be reported immediately and should be punished in accordance with the law. Daley says it’s important to work together to put a stop to any abuse.
The President of Central Valley Meat stated that his company is committed to correcting any problems identified on the video as quickly as possible. He called the allegations disturbing and surprising. According to a company spokesman – the company is working closely with USDA’s FSIS to address animal-handling concerns arising from the undercover video and is developing a plan of action to present to FSIS to remedy any potential violations of USDA guidelines.
Source: NAFB News Service
Posted by Haylie Shipp
