WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday a proposed rule to amend regulations to begin a complete ban on the slaughter of cattle that become non-ambulatory after initial inspection or “downer cattle.”
The rule follows a May 20 announcement by Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer to remove the provision that says the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection program will determine the disposition of cattle that become non-ambulatory after pre-slaughter inspection on a case-by-case basis. Under the proposed new rule, any cattle that become disabled will be condemned and disposed of.