Ban on the Slaughter of Downer Cattle - July 7, 1998

On July 7, 1998, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman announced a decisive measure to address concerns surrounding bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease. The announcement marked the prohibition of slaughtering downer cattle—cows that are unable to walk or stand on their own—at federally inspected slaughter facilities.

Context Leading Up to the Ban

The decision came against the backdrop of growing international concerns about BSE, a fatal neurological disease in cattle that can affect humans through the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) when infected beef is consumed. Although the disease had not been found in the United States at that time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sought to preemptively mitigate any potential risks.

Key Factors Influencing the Decision

• International BSE Cases: The first significant outbreak of BSE was identified in the United Kingdom in the 1980s, leading to widespread public health concerns and economic disruptions in the beef industry.
• Consumer Safety: The USDA aimed to safeguard public health by ensuring that potentially infected animals did not enter the food supply.
• Industry Standards: The ban aligned with efforts to improve food safety standards and restore consumer confidence in beef products.

Details of the Ban

• Scope: The regulation specifically targeted non-ambulatory cattle within federally inspected slaughterhouses.
• Implementation: Facilities would no longer accept animals that could not walk or stand without support, directly aiming to eliminate any potentially higher-risk cattle from processing lines.

Significance and Impact

This policy shift was part of a broader strategy by the USDA to strengthen food safety protocols and prevent the introduction or spread of BSE in the United States. The ban on slaughtering downer cattle reinforced the country’s commitment to proactive measures in food safety and animal health.

Consequences

• Food Safety Assurance: Enhanced inspection processes and stricter standards helped maintain consumer trust both domestically and internationally.
• Precedent for Future Regulations: The ban was a precursor to future policies addressing animal welfare and public health concerns, influencing later regulations like the 2003 ban following the first confirmed BSE case in the U.S.

The announcement by Secretary Glickman on July 7, 1998, played a pivotal role in shaping food safety and public health policy, demonstrating a proactive stance against potential health threats from the beef industry.