• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

2 Westland inspectors suspended

Sandhusker

Well-known member
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended at least two federal meat inspectors following the largest beef recall in the nation's history, a union head said Friday.

Stan Painter, chairman of the National Joint Council of Food Inspection Locals, said the USDA confirmed it has placed a veterinarian and a floor inspector from Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. on paid administrative leave.

A USDA spokeswoman did not immediately return an e-mail Friday requesting comment.

Painter said a local union representative told him earlier Friday that a third inspector was also placed on leave, but he could not confirm it with the agency.

"Apparently, they found enough evidence to suspend those people," Painter said. "When I asked them why exactly, they said, 'I don't know.' I don't know if I buy that."

The USDA recalled 143 million pounds of beef from the Chino, Calif., slaughterhouse on Feb. 17. The recall came after the Humane Society of the United States released undercover video showing plant workers trying to get so-called "downer" cows — sick or crippled animals — to stand by shoving and dragging them with forklifts, zapping them with electric prods and aiming water hoses at their faces and noses.

Two of the workers in the video face criminal charges, and the slaughterhouse, which supplied one-fifth of the meat used in the National School Lunch Program, has closed.

The recall launched a series of congressional hearings and close scrutiny of the USDA's meat and poultry inspection system. The agency has an average national vacancy rate of 10 percent and has said it is short about 500 inspectors.

On Thursday, the agriculture secretary resisted calls from Democratic senators for a complete ban on downer cattle for human consumption. Such cows pose a higher risk of E. coli, salmonella contamination and mad cow disease.

Agriculture Secretary Edward T. Schafer instead announced new steps to ensure the safety of the country's meat supply, including more random inspections of slaughterhouses and immediate audits of the 23 plants that supply meat for federal programs, primarily school lunches.
 

cowzilla

Well-known member
Cull cow prices jumped 10 cents this week up here. Locals are saying the recalls have had an impact and demand for product has increased.
 

PORKER

Well-known member
I sat in at the Columbia auction Lake City Florida this last week and I can confirm the same thing except prices were quite eraditic from 7.5 -12.0 cents higher. Thin shelly cows that didn't walk good were down 15-20 cents. There might be a reason.
 

RobertMac

Well-known member
Here is a producer/retailer opinion on Chino....(in the side bar)

http://www.slankersgrassfedmeats.com/chino_meat_plant_animal_abuse.htm

Warning: You conventional producers should take care going to other parts of Ted's site!!!! Ted doesn't hold back any punches and tells it as he sees it...you may be offended!!
Note: Fifteen years ago, Ted was as big an advocate for the conventional beef industry as anyone here...but Ted is not one to ignore the truth.
 

Latest posts

Top