Ban on downer cows

I'm thrilled to see the department of agriculture just banned downer cows from entering the food supply. Downer cows are those so weakened by the torturous conditions under which they're raised that they're unable to move or stand once driven to slaughter. Downer cows are at higher risk for mad cow disease, e. coli and several other nasty bugs.

In overviewing the ban in his weekly radio address President Obama called the current US food inspection system "a hazard to public health." I hope this strong statement means that more desperately needed reforms are in the works, from extending the downer ban to chickens, turkeys and hogs, to a greater Federal emphasis on food animal welfare that Californians, for example, demanded with the passing of Prop 2.

I'm also hopeful that the small but respectful news cycle sparked by the downer cow ban will lead more people to question why they'd ever eat meat at all. Let's hope!