An amendment offered by United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) to eliminate inhumane and improper treatment of downed animals at stockyards was adopted by the United States Senate during consideration of H.R. 2673, the Fiscal Year 2004 Agriculture Appropriations Act. The amendment, based on legislation introduced by Senator Akaka, the Downed Animal Protection Act (S. 1298), prohibits the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from utilizing funds under this Act to approve downed animals for human consumption.
Downed animals are livestock such as cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines that are too sick to stand or walk unassisted. Many of these animals are dying from infectious diseases and present a significant pathway for the spread of disease. In addition to concern for the humane treatment and euthanasia of downed animals, Senator Akaka raised concerns about diseases such as BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), more commonly known as mad cow disease, that pose a serious risk to the United States cattle industry and human health. A food inspection study conducted in Germany in 2001 found that BSE is present in a higher percentage of downed livestock than in the general cattle population. USDA stated that downed animals are one of the most significant potential pathways that have not been addressed in previous efforts to reduce risks from BSE. "Stronger legislation is needed to ensure that these animals do not enter our food chain," Akaka warned. "My amendment prevents downed animals from being approved for consumption at our dinner tables."
Currently, before slaughter, USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) diverts downer livestock that exhibit clinical signs associated with BSE or other types of diseases until further tests may be taken. However, downed livestock can still be processed for human consumption. If downer cattle presented for slaughter pass both the pre- and post-inspection process, meat and meat by-products from such cattle can be used for human consumption. Routinely, BSE is not correctly distinguished from many other diseases and conditions that show similar symptoms. This was demonstrated by the surveillance of a similar inspection process in Europe, showing that the process is inadequate for detecting BSE. Consequently, BSE-infected cattle can be approved for human and animal consumption.
Although USDA increased the number of cattle tested for BSE from 5,200 during the year 2001 to 19,990 in the year 2002, this still represents less than one percent of the industry that is tested. USDA has increased its efforts to test approximately ten percent of downed cattle per year for BSE.
"One single downed cow in Canada diagnosed with BSE this year shut down the world's third largest beef exporter," Akaka noted. "It is estimated that the Canadian beef industry lost over $1 billion as a result of the discovery of BSE and more than 30 countries banned Canadian cattle and beef. As the Canadian cattle industry continues to recover from its economic loss, it is prudent for the United States to be proactive in preventing BSE and other animal diseases from entering our food chain.
"My amendment reduces the threat of passing diseases from downed livestock to our food supply and ensures downed animals will not be used for human consumption. The higher standards I seek for food safety will protect human health from diseases and the livestock industry from economic distress."
