NON-PROFIT FARM SANCTUARY FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST USDA TO PROHIBIT SLAUGHTER OF "DOWNED" ANIMALS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

BACKGROUND:

Los Angeles, CA -- Farm Sanctuary and Michael Baur have filed a lawsuit against the USDA to prohibit "downed" animals from being marketed for food in the United States, it was announced today by attorney Sheldon Eisenberg, a partner at Bryan Cave, LLP. "Downed animal" is an industry term describing non-ambulatory livestock, which collapse usually for unknown reasons, and are too sick to stand back up.

In addition to inhumane and cruel treatment of these animals by the animal food industry, downed livestock may pose a grave threat to human health when circulated into the food supply. Some of the same illnesses with which these animals are afflicted could present health dangers to humans who consume the meat of these animals. With the current agricultural bioterrorism threat, such diseases as Anthrax could be passed from animals to humans when meat from infected animals is not thoroughly cooked before consumption. Downed animals are not routinely tested for bacterial diseases such as Anthrax prior to slaughter, yet meat from downed animals has a greatly increased risk for bacterial contamination. There is also evidence that some downed animals in the U.S. may be afflicted with a variant of Mad Cow Disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy).

SOT:

• Gene Bauston,
  Co-founder and Director of Farm Sanctuary
• Lester Friedlander,
  Former USDA Veterinarian Inspector
• Sheldon Eisenberg, Attorney

B-ROLL:

• Footage of downed animals
• Footage of people eating meat
• Footage of tractors dragging downed cattle

Video Provided By: Farm Sanctuary