U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) today introduced legislation to eliminate inhumane and improper treatment of downed animals at stockyards. The Downed Animal Protection Act prohibits the sale or transfer of downed animals unless they have been humanely euthanized.
Downed animals are severely distressed recumbent animals that are so sick they cannot rise or move on their own. Once an animal becomes immobile and cannot stand, it must lie where it falls, often without receiving basic assistance. The suffering of downed animals is so severe that the only humane solution is immediate euthanasia. Downed animals that survive the stockyard are slaughtered for human consumption.
"Hopelessly sick and injured animals should be euthanized by humane methods that rapidly and effectively render animals insensitive to pain," said Akaka. "Humane euthanasia of downed animals will limit animal suffering and will encourage the livestock industry to concentrate on improved management and handling practices to avoid this problem in the first place."
This legislation will set a uniform national standard that removes any unfair advantage that might result from differing standards throughout the industry. Downed animals comprise less than one-tenth of one percent of animals at stockyards. Banning their sale or transfer would cause no economic hardship. The bill does not require additional bureaucracy since inspectors already regularly visit stockyards and slaughter facilities to enforce existing regulations. Therefore, the burden on the U.S. Department of Agriculture and stockyard operators will be insignificant.
"Despite the efforts of responsible and conscientious livestock organizations and producers such as the United Stockyards Corporation, the Minnesota Livestock Marketing Association, the National Pork Producers Council, the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, and the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas to humanely euthanize downed animals, there is a need for stronger legislation to ensure that non-ambulatory animals do not enter our nation's food chain, particularly in light of the recent discovery of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada," Akaka noted.
