U.S. to ban slaughter of cattle too sick to walk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cattle too sick or injured to walk will be banned from entering U.S. slaughterhouses, the Agriculture Department said on Tuesday, a change that comes months after the largest meat recall in American history.

USDA said a total ban on so-called "downer" cattle from the U.S. food supply will help prevent the mistreatment of animals and ensure meat safety. The rule will be expedited and should be in place in a "matter of months."

Currently, most downer cattle are banned from slaughter, but USDA rules allow some animals to go through if they have passed inspection earlier. Packers are required to alert USDA veterinarians in those cases so the cattle can be reinspected before they are slaughtered for food.

"This action sends a clear message to consumers in both domestic and international markets that we will continue to uphold the high standards to protect our food supply," Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer told reporters.

Yahoo (Reuters)