Obama permanently bans slaughter of sick, diseased cows (so you don't eat them!)

The government on Saturday permanently banned the slaughter of cows too sick or weak to stand on their own, seeking to further minimize the chance that mad cow disease could enter the food supply.

The Agriculture Department proposed the ban last year after the biggest beef recall in U.S. history. The recall involved a Chino, Calif., slaughterhouse and "downer" cows. The Obama administration finalized the ban on Saturday.

"As part of our commitment to public health, our Agriculture Department is closing a loophole in the system to ensure that diseased cows don't find their way into the food supply," President Barack Obama said in his weekly radio and video address.

Obama called the country's food inspection system "a hazard to public health," citing outbreaks of deadlyfood poisoning in peanuts this year, peppers and possibly tomatoes last year and spinach in 2006.

There have been three confirmed cases of BSE in the United states, in a Canadian-born cow in 2003 in Washington state, in 2005 in Texas and in 2006 in Alabama. The Bush administration in 2006 dramatically scaled back testing for mad cow disease.


I am so glad to see this! I haven't eaten chicken since 2003 and I haven't eaten any other meat since I was 12! I tend to look down on people who still eat meat. It has to be known by now that these animals are abused until they die horrific deaths. If you can know that information and think that because you aren't actually killing the animal that you are not causing their deaths, you are in denial. I am so happy that some animal is finally getting the protection that they *all* deserve! This is an awesome first step!

Women Breastfeeding Animals-*Graphic Pics*

This is pretty disturbing.  I would never do this but if these animals can only get milk in this way, I guess the woman has a choice to do this.  I do worry about this woman above because she has a baby who needs that milk.   I don't know the situation, so I guess I can't judge.  At least they aren't hurting the animals.

More Pictures (External Site)

Proposition 2 Passes in California!

The agribusiness industry spent $9 million in California to discourage and scare voters. Prop 2 passed by wide margins not just in the urban centers, but in 46 out of 58 counties—including solid majorities in rural counties with a large agricultural presence. Proposition 2, passed with 63.1%, or 6,592,694 votes, but doesn't take effect until 2015.


The measure bans confining crates and cages for hens, pregnant pigs and veal calves that don't allow the animals to turn around, lie down and extend their limbs. According to Daniel Sumner, from the UC Davis Agricultural Issues Center, "There is no reason to expect any significant change in the price of any eggs. That applies to eggs from cage-free hens too."


Egg farmers said it would be too costly to retrofit their farms. Sumner, a professor of agricultural economics, agrees. This confuses me since he also said, "There is no reason to expect any significant change in the price of any eggs". I guess we will see. I am willing to pay extra, I already spend three times as much to buy cage free eggs, what is another dollar to ensure that animals are being treated humanely. Violation of the law would result in a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, by imprisonment in the county jail of up to 180 days, or both imprisonment and fine.

The prohibition would not apply during scientific or agricultural research, veterinary testing and treatment, exhibitions, transportation or slaughter. It would also not apply to pregnant pigs during the seven-day period before the expected date of giving birth.

Source: latimes.com, Humane Society Legislative Fund, League of Women Voters of California