[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today expressed frustration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for failing to address the risks posed by the presence of non-ambulatory, or downer cattle, in our food supply. Durbin issued the following statement after the Humane Society released its third set of graphic video footage of the presence of downer cattle in the food supply:

“The footage released today is not the first time we’ve seen cruel treatment of downed livestock at auction. It’s also not the first time we’ve seen the USDA fail to take effective action in response.”

“I have called on the USDA to issue a final rule on downer cattle for months, but the agency has failed to act promptly. Meanwhile, downer cattle continue to pose a risk to the safety of our nation’s food supply.”

“The USDA has been working on changing the procedures regarding downer cattle for nearly a year. Despite ongoing reports of downers being mistreated and mishandled, the agency has been unwilling or unable to complete the process. The USDA needs to do its job. Now.”

In January, the Humane Society released a report, and accompanying video, depicting dozens of incidents of inhumane treatment of sick and weak animals at processing facility that is a leading supplier of ground beef to our nation’s schools. Durbin immediately asked the USDA and the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to launch an investigation. The meat supplier subsequently closed its operations.

Durbin has also repeatedly called on the USDA to issue a final rule banning the use of downer cattle in the food supply. He sent a letter as recently as last month asking for the process to be completed.

The Humane Society’s most recent report and video can be viewed at http://www.humanesociety.org. WARNING: THE VIDEO IS GRAPHIC.