Owner of Westminster livestock auction house charged
May 29, 2008
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has spoken on the issues that stemmed from a Humane Society video of a downed cow at the Westminster livestock auction house.
The agency says it will “tighten” its inspection policies, and has charged the owner of the auction house - James Horak of Hanover, Pa. - with four counts of violating state animal health regulations.
From the AP story:
The agency says the revisions require inspectors to report and track downed animals; inform operators of what action they must take; and follow up to ensure that the action has been taken.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentFeds step in on slaughterhouse issue
May 21, 2008
We filled you in recently when the Humane Society of the U.S. released video of the mistreatment of “downer” cows at a Westminster livestock auction house. Earlier this month, the Maryland Department of Agriculture announced it was investigating the incident, since the Westminster auction is licensed by the MDA.
Now, Washington’s stepped in.
Yesterday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer (left) announced a total ban on the slaughter at meat plants of “downer” cows - those too sick or weak to stand.
The change closes a loophole that allows a small number of downer cattle into the food supply if they pass veterinary inspection.
The AP reports:
Downer cows pose increased risk for mad cow disease, E. coli and other infections, partly because they typically wallow in feces. They are already mostly banned from slaughter, but under current rules can be allowed in if they fall down after passing an initial veterinary inspection, and then are re-inspected and pass that second inspection, too.
Some lawmakers and the Humane Society of the United States have lobbied Schafer to eliminate that exception, and the meat and dairy industry last month reversed its opposition and endorsed the change too.
Schafer announced the planned new rule to reporters following a 60-day review of conditions at the nation’s slaughterhouses. The department hopes to finalize the rule within several months.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentMDA to investigate Westminster livestock house
May 8, 2008
Yesterday we blogged on a new Humane Society video that showed mistreatment of a “downed” cow at the Westminster livestock auction house.
Well, now the Maryland Department of Agriculture wants us to know they’re on the case.
Here’s Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson (bottom left) on the incident:
“MDA will not tolerate violations of its animal welfare laws and regulations … The report at the Westminster livestock auction is under investigation and we expect to have a determination with proposed regulatory action within two weeks.”
The Westminster auction is regulated and licensed by the MDA, and an inspector is required to be on-site while an auction is taking place. The one on duty April 22, when the video was shot, “was advised that the animal was down but was not aware of any mistreatment” and got involved the next day, after a complaint from the Humane Society.
The MDA points out that House Bill 227, passed this year by the General Assembly, gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to penalize auction houses up to $10,000 when a regulation is broken.
And, according to the MDA:
Specifically in response to the Westminster Livestock Auction Market situation, MDA has reviewed and revised its protocols for inspectors at livestock auctions to include: reporting and tracking downed animals; officially informing the livestock auction management of action that must be taken; and following up the day after a sale to make sure that the appropriate disposition of any downed animals has taken place.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
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