Another Conviction

Calif. beef plant worker sentenced in abuse case

CHINO, Calif. (AP) — A former slaughterhouse worker was sentenced Wednesday to jail and probation after being seen abusing sick and injured cattle in a secretly taped video that prompted the largest beef recall in U.S. history.

Daniel Ugarte Navarro pleaded no contest in June to two felony counts of animal cruelty and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to downed animals.

The Humane Society of the United States shot the video at Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. in Chino, leading to a federal investigation and the recall of 143 million pounds of beef in February.

The video shows the workers dragging sick cows with metal chains and forklifts, shocking them with electric prods and shooting streams of water in their noses and faces. Read More

When one person involved in the livestock industry does something like this, the entire industry feels the effects. Finally putting closure on this event is a good thing. It is time to reflect on the lessons learned and now go forward and do what we can to prevent this type of activity.

Downer Cattle

Meat and Dairy Groups Now Back Downer-Cattle Ban
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 23, 2008

In a significant reversal, major meat and dairy industry groups backed a total ban on so-called downer cattle from entering the food supply. Calls for such a ban have come from watchdog groups and some lawmakers in the wake of the large beef recall from a Southern California slaughterhouse in February, but the industry had resisted. Current law bans slaughter of most cows that are unable to stand, or downers, but allows them in if they fall after passing a veterinarian’s inspection and then are reinspected. Advocacy groups called that a loophole, but the Agriculture Department and the meat industry opposed changing it. Now, under pressure from Congress and outside groups, the industry has reconsidered. The American Meat Institute, the National Meat Association and the National Milk Producers Federation said they had petitioned the Agriculture Department to enact a total ban. “We think that the time has come,” said Jeremy Russell, spokesman for the National Meat Association, which represents some 400 packers and processors. “We want to send a clear message to consumers that we’re putting their welfare and concerns ahead of the economics.” Link

Anytime there is something like the massive beef recall that happens, you hope that there is a silver lining for the industry hidden somewhere in the mess. There was no excuse for the way those animals were treated. Hopefully this will eliminate the possibility of this happening again.

No More Oversight Needed Says Official

Food safety official says no more oversight of slaughterhouses needed
By Jonathan D. Rockoff
Sun reporter
4:16 PM EDT, April 17, 2008

The Bush administration said today that the government doesn't need more inspectors and new technologies to police slaughterhouses after the country's largest beef recall earlier this year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has enough food inspectors after hiring more than 190 last year and videotaping meat plant operations would be costly and practically difficult to implement, said Richard Raymond, the undersecretary for food safety.

"It's not as simple as a camera," said Raymond, who pointed out that reviews of 18 plants providing beef to federal programs didn't turn up any the kind of mistreatment that prompted the recall in February. He also said the agency was "not stretched too thin."

His response angered House members, who said the recall of beef slaughtered in the Hallmark/Westland plant in Chino, Calif., showed a need for improvements. Read More

The debate continues on what Congress will accomplish in the beef recall aftermath. The problem will be that most of the politicians will want something done regardless of its effectiveness. Changing something just for the sake of change won’t do any good.

Cost of the Beef Recall

Footing the bill for the beef
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2008

Someone has to pay for the largest beef recall in U.S. history. The federal government wants a California slaughterhouse to do so and has billed it $67 million for expenses related to the recall of 143 million pounds of beef in February. Read More

The cost of this recall continues to mount for Westland/Hallmark. It will be difficult for them to be able to pay the entire tab, and I agree that the government will end up paying some of the costs.

Is eating beef safe?

Is eating beef safe?

By NANCY LUNA
The Orange County Register

In 2006, Seattle food safety attorney Bill Marler advised produce packers and growers to look at the beef sector for tips on reducing food borne illness outbreaks.

At the time, a series of E. coli outbreaks had rocked the industry – sickening more than 200 people who ate tainted spinach or lettuce. In the meantime, the beef industry, plagued in the 1990s by similar food scares, had made great strides in reducing food poisoning cases.

Now, the pendulum has swung.

Since 2007, federal health officials have documented 67 beef recalls, up from eight in 2006. At least 20 recalls are linked to E. coli tainted meat. Read More

Consumers are asking a lot of questions about our food supply right now and this article addresses several of them. All of us in agriculture should be prepared to answer any of the questions that are raised in this article.