Sep 09
Update: Victory! USDA Cites AgriProcessors for Slaughter Violations
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05:28 PM
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Last week, PETA revealed shocking new undercover footage of cruelty to animals at AgriProcessors in Postville, Iowa, the world's largest kosher slaughterhouse. I'm thrilled to report that as a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a citation against AgriProcessors for violating the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
PETA's video shows a worker making sawing cuts inside the gaping wounds in cows’ throats, after the shochet (religious slaughterer) has made the first cut and walked away. Federal law prohibits workers from making a second cut unless a shochet is supervising.
Temple Grandin, the world's foremost expert on slaughter methods, said the worker used a harsh "digging, gouging" motion on the second cut that would "definitely cause the animal pain" and is rarely necessary if the first cut is made properly. Grandin stated that the video "clearly showed that when they think nobody is looking, they do bad things in this plant."
AgriProcessors has clearly lost all support from Grandin. She recently said that there is "no point" to the visits. She added, "I've been in business 35 years, and I'm getting sick and tired of: They act good when you're there and they don't act good when your back is turned. They did the same thing for the rabbis they would do for me—put on a show."
Grandin isn't just all complaints—she has a plan to get rid of this cruel practice. Installing live-feed video cameras on the kill floor of the plant would help ensure that no animal is ever tortured at AgriProcessors again. Join PETA in backing Grandin's plan now!
Update: Just as I posted this entry, CNN reported that AgriProcessors and some of its executives have each been charged with more than 9,000 alleged violations of child labor laws. Cruelty to animals and alleged child labor! Looks like AgriProcessors is working overtime to win the award for "Most Despicable Company in America."
Posted by Carrie Ann Harris
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