By eliminating downed animals from the food supply, the U.S. government and the livestock industry can send an important message to the public about their commitment to the humane handling of animals and to the elimination of unnecessary food safety risks. The American public is looking to the USDA and the FDA to eliminate unnecessary food safety risks, protect animals from needless suffering, and ensure that the livestock industry's quality assurance programs are held to the highest standards. The HSUS strongly urges the USDA and the FDA to fulfill their responsibility to the public and prohibit the slaughter of downed animals. What You Can Do Write to the FDA's Dockets Management Branch. Be sure to mention the docket number in your letter.
Downers pose an increased risk for bacterial contamination.
It is impossible to move downed animals humanely. Removing the market for downed animals will provide an incentive to industry to prevent downed animals in the first place. The Humane Society of the United States. All rights reserved.