The Orange County Register
updated 12:16 p.m. ET, Fri., March. 14, 2008
WASHINGTON – Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced a bill Thursday that would severely punish meat packing plants if they send sick animals to slaughter.
Feinstein, D-Calif., along with three other senators including Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., drafted the legislation after concerns that so-called downer cows – animals that can't stand up and walk on their own — ended up in the food supply, leading a Chino slaughterhouse to recall 143 million pounds of meat.
Existing penalties for meat producers who violate downer animal rules include fines of up to $500,000 for third time offenders and up to 10 years of jail time. The USDA can increase the sanctions, Feinstein said in a statement announcing the bill, but they have not done so.
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Feinstein's bill would:
Fine a plant for a first violation, based upon a percentage of its gross income. The percentage would be determined by the USDA secretary.
Suspend USDA inspection services for one year after a second violation, effectively shutting down the facility during that time because plants cannot slaughter meat without a USDA inspector on the premises.
Shut plants down after a third violation.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23621134/************************************
Guess it took the Hallmark/Westland scandal to get folks to take notice. Better late than never.
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