MCA DIRECTORS APPALLED AT TREATMENT OF CATTLE

BY HALLMARK/WESTLAND MEAT PACKING

Billings, MT.  In the midst of the largest meat recall in history, the beef industry has received a black eye due to the mishandling of cattle at a California meat packing plant.  The inhumane treatment of animals is something Montana cattle producers will not tolerate.  A video has been widely broadcast showing workers at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Facility in Chino, CA kicking lame cows and using forklifts to force them to walk.  The Board of Directors of Montana Cattlemen's Association (MCA) is appalled by these actions and censures such animal treatment. 

On the day of slaughter, Department of Agriculture inspectors conduct pre-slaughter inspections on all cattle. If an animal becomes unable to walk, before or at the time it is presented for slaughter, employees of the slaughterhouse are required to summon a Department of Agriculture veterinarian.  The veterinarian then has the discretion to determine whether the animal is fit for slaughter. The Department of Agriculture contends that employees at Westland/Hallmark sometimes failed to notify the veterinarian when animals could not walk after being inspected.

MCA has been working on the humane animal handling issue and intends to produce a document outlining humane treatment guidelines.  "The confidence of the consumer is paramount to our industry.  These humane handling guidelines are one potential way of maintaining that confidence," said MCA President, Brett DeBruycker.  "Cattle producers rely on the USDA to ensure that a safe, properly handled product reaches consumers.  It is obvious the USDA has failed to uphold their own guidelines in this instance.  Consumers deserve only the best beef and that is what U.S. cattle producers strive to provide." 

MCA has sent a letter asking Montana's congressional delegation to formally investigate the flawed inspection and animal treatment practices of the meat packing industry and to take proper actions against the USDA inspectors and packing plant that have failed the beef industry.  MCA also asks that Congress consult with beef industry leaders to find and implement an immediate remedy to these deplorable acts. 

"Our stock is our livelihood and producers take great pride in how they raise their cattle.  It is appalling and sickening to see this type of mistreatment," continued DeBruycker

For more information about the Montana Cattlemen's Association, please call 406-259-5433, e-mail js@montanacattlemen.org, or visit the website at http://www.montanacattlemen.org/.