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But But Leo said.

Tam

Well-known member
"We know Canada still processes downers and the US doesn't." :shock:


Downer Animals Legislation is Back
Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) introduced the "Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act of 2007," which would prohibit "downed" animals from the food supply. Regarding S. 394 and H.R. 681, Ackerman said, "For years, the cattle industry and those who represent them have foolishly put profit ahead of public health and wound up jeopardizing both."
The legislation would require the "humane euthanasia" of nonambulatory animals, prohibit the movement of conscious nonambulatory animals, make it unlawful for an inspector to pass any nonambulatory livestock or carcass, and require that nonambulatory animals be labeled, marked, stamped or tagged as "inspected and condemned." Similar legislation was introduced last Congress.

I just have to ask if its BACK does that mean

1. it didn't pass the first time it was introduced to the US Congress and the US never stopped processing downers ? :shock:

OR

2. this is something that has to pass every Congress to keep the rule alive and stop the US from processing downers? :?

If the answer is number one I think SOMEBODY LIED at an ICON meeting. :wink:

Don't worry though if it passes this time you will be one step closer to catching up with us in industry standards. :wink:
 

ocm

Well-known member
Tam said:
"We know Canada still processes downers and the US doesn't." :shock:


Downer Animals Legislation is Back
Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) introduced the "Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act of 2007," which would prohibit "downed" animals from the food supply. Regarding S. 394 and H.R. 681, Ackerman said, "For years, the cattle industry and those who represent them have foolishly put profit ahead of public health and wound up jeopardizing both."
The legislation would require the "humane euthanasia" of nonambulatory animals, prohibit the movement of conscious nonambulatory animals, make it unlawful for an inspector to pass any nonambulatory livestock or carcass, and require that nonambulatory animals be labeled, marked, stamped or tagged as "inspected and condemned." Similar legislation was introduced last Congress.

I just have to ask if its BACK does that mean

1. it didn't pass the first time it was introduced to the US Congress and the US never stopped processing downers ? :shock:

OR

2. this is something that has to pass every Congress to keep the rule alive and stop the US from processing downers? :?

If the answer is number one I think SOMEBODY LIED at an ICON meeting. :wink:

Don't worry though if it passes this time you will be one step closer to catching up with us in industry standards. :wink:


The USDA ordered it stopped. Congress has never acted on it. Legislation introduced did not pass. That had no effect on USDA's order to stop using downers for human consumption. The USDA used its regulatory authority in contrast to this proposal which would use Congress's legislative authority.

Note: This legislation goes far beyond the USDA's order. It even goes so far as to outlaw the movement of nonambulatory animals.

Sorry, no contradiction here.
 

Tam

Well-known member
Tell us ocm if the USDA has the power to just tell the US beef industry to stop processing downers and poof they do it with no rules forbiding it, and no congressional legislation to back it up. Why didn't the USDA just tell the US producers they were to stop feeding chicken litter, plate waste, and condemned pet food back to their cattle? Why waste time with rule writing, comment periods and the rest of it on anything if they have the power to just tell the industry what to do? :? Do they have that right to pick and choose what rules will be enacted on their say so and which ones they have to follow the strict rule writing process on? :?
 

ocm

Well-known member
Tam said:
Tell us ocm if the USDA has the power to just tell the US beef industry to stop processing downers and poof they do it with no rules forbiding it, and no congressional legislation to back it up. Why didn't the USDA just tell the US producers they were to stop feeding chicken litter, plate waste, and condemned pet food back to their cattle? Why waste time with rule writing, comment periods and the rest of it on anything if they have the power to just tell the industry what to do? :? Do they have that right to pick and choose what rules will be enacted on their say so and which ones they have to follow the strict rule writing process on? :?

You missing a couple of things. Rules and regulations from the USDA are all supposed to be based on authority granted them by Congress. The downer rule was too. They all have to go through the same rulemaking process. The downer rule did too. It was instigated through an emergency process whereby it can be enforced while the comments etc are going on. As to the chicken litter etc, I'm not sure of the jurisdiction. It may be the FDA. Whatever, the agencies have some leeway based on existing law, unless Congress makes a law more stringent. Then the agencies MUST do exactly what the law says. Congress has the ultimate power.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
FDA is the agency that oversees keeping out SRM's and MBM's in cattle feed- including the poultry litter....There is huge pressure right now in D.C. to combine both agencies into one, mainly because of their screwed up jurisdictions....

USDA oversees meat safety
FDA oversees livestock food safety
 
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