In a statement, McDonald’s said: “There are behaviors in the video which appear to be unacceptable and would not adhere to the standards we demand of our suppliers.”
The plant is now under investigation by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which has removed its inspectors, effectively suspending slaughter operations at the facility. A statement from the FSIS said that the video – shot by an undercover investigator from animal welfare organisation Compassion Over Killing (COK) in June and July 2012 – had shown “disturbing evidence of inhumane treatment of cattle”.
Responding to allegations from COK that workers at the plant were trying to make non-ambulatory “downer” cows go to slaughter, federal officials said that the video footage does not show a downer animal entering the food supply. However, it said that it would continue to investigate the matter.
FSIS administrator Al Almanza said: “We have reviewed the video and determined that, while some of the footage provided shows unacceptable treatment of cattle, it does not show anything that would compromise food safety. Therefore, we have not substantiated a food safety violation at this time. We are aggressively continuing to investigate the allegations.”
The US beef industry has also been quick to distance itself from the plant. Speaking on behalf of the cattle community, animal care expert and associate dean for the College of Agriculture at California State University Dr Dave Daley said: “The vast majority of cattlemen stand firm in adhering to the absolute best animal care and handling guidelines established by veterinarians and other experts.
“We do not condone any mishandling of livestock on the farm or ranch or in the packing facility. In fact, we firmly believe that those knowingly and wilfully committing any abuse to animals should not be in the business. The actions depicted in these videos are disgraceful and not representative of the cattle community.”
Daley added that any individual who witnessed animal welfare abuse had the responsibility to act quickly to stop it. “Anyone who mistreats animals must be reported immediately and should be punished in accordance with the law. We must work together to put a stop to any abuse,” he said.
According to local press reports, McDonald’s, In-N-Out Burger and Costco have all suspended purchases of meat from Central Valley Meat Co, which hit the headlines after undercover footage was released showing staff at the plant repeatedly shocking, shooting and beating dairy cows.
