BOSWELL URGES USDA SECRETARY SCHAFER: INVESTIGATE WESTLAND MEAT COMPANY THOROUGHLY AND SWIFTLY

Washington, DC—This week, Congressman Leonard Boswell, Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Subcommittee, wrote to USDA Secretary Ed Schafer requesting a thorough examination of recent reports alleging inhumane handling of downed cattle at Westland Meat Company, a slaughter plant in Southern California.

“As someone who has been involved in animal agriculture for most of my life, I urge you to do a thorough investigation on the mistreatment of these non-ambulatory cattle at the Westland Meat Company.  I would also like assurances that USDA is using all available resources to close this investigation in a timely manner.”

Earlier this week the Humane Society of the U.S. released videos allegedly showing workers using inhumane treatment to get ill or downed animals on their feet.  Westland was a supplier to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s federal nutrition program, and downed animals are banned from being slaughtered for human food.    USDA has informed Iowa schools to stop using beef produced by at this company.  

Boswell is asking for a completed report on USDA findings and what steps they will take to ensure that humane handling of animals are strictly enforced.

“We cannot allow this mistreatment to continue, and I hope this problem is rectified soon,” added Boswell.  “We have to remember that these people broke the law.  Often times, it takes one bad apple to undermine all of the hard work, dedication, research that others practice.”


Below is the full text of the letter to Schafer:  

January 31, 2007
The Honorable Ed Schafer
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave
Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Secretary Schafer:

As Chairman of the Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee and a life-long farmer I was deeply troubled by the recent allegations of inhumane handling of downed cattle in a federally inspected slaughter establishment in Southern California.  

As someone who has been involved in animal agriculture for most of my life, I urge you to do a thorough investigation on the mistreatment of these non-ambulatory cattle at the Westland Meat Company.  I would also like assurances that USDA is using all available resources to close this investigation in a timely manner.  

I was pleased to see that USDA has suspended Westland Meat Company as a supplier to federal food and nutrition programs.  We must ensure that the individuals who mistreated these animals or had knowledge of their actions received the appropriate penalties.   

Please keep me informed as to the status of your investigation.  Furthermore, for the benefit of the Subcommittee, at your investigation's conclusion I ask for a complete and thorough report on your findings and the steps the USDA will take to ensure humane handling of animals are strictly enforced.  Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me or Chandler Gould, Staff Director for the Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Subcommittee at (202) 225-8407.

Sincerely,

Leonard L. Boswell
Chairman
House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry

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