NMPF sent this letter to USDA on September 29, 2008 to express support for the proposed changes to the "Requirements for the Disposition of Cattle That Become Non-Ambulatory Disabled Following Ante-Mortem Inspection." Under the proposed new rule, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) personnel would no longer be allowed to determine the disposition of cattle that become non-ambulatory after having previously passed antemortem inspection,
assuredly keeping them out of the human food supply.
For copy of the citizens petition mentioned in the letter, please scroll down this page to NMPF's April 23, 2008 joint statement with the American Meat Institute and the National Meat Association.
In an announcement that was published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2008, USDA proposed a formal ban from the human food supply the slaughter of cattle that become non-ambulatory. Back in April, NMPF had requested the elimination of the provision that allows certain non-ambulatory cattle to pass into the human food supply. This newly-proposed rule accomplished exactly what NMPF requested in its petition.
In an effort to reinforce the importance of caring for dairy cattle at all stages of their lives, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), along with Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), announced on July 7, 2008 the distribution of a basic educational poster that will be distributed to all dairy producers across America.
When USDA announced on May 20, 2008 that it would move to ensure that all nonambulatory, or downer, cattle stay out of the human food supply, NMPF President and CEO Jerry Kozak released this statement.
On April 23, 2008, NMPF, the American Meat Institute, and the National Meat Association released a joint statement requesting that USDA keep all nonambulatory, or downer, cattle out of the human food supply.
In response to the incident of animal abuse at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Co. in Chino, CA in early 2008, NMPF joined the Center for Food Integrity and other supporting organizations in issuing a call for everyone involved in animal agriculture to not tolerate cases of animal abuse.
Dr. Karen Jordan of Siler City, North Carolina, who is vice chairperson of the NMPF Animal Health committee, told the House of Representatives that “what’s good for cows is good for our business,” and urged Agriculture Committee members not to include specific animal welfare regulations in the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill.
Caring for Dairy Animals Guide
Dairy producers have always been committed to providing the utmost care for their animals. Producers understand the importance of providing proper care and nutrition to their animals and their number one priority is to provide exceptional care for their animals as healthy, well-cared for animals results in a more profitable operation.
Caring for Dairy Animals Technical Reference Guide
In the spring of 2002, NMPF collaborated with the Milk and Beef Dairy Quality Assurance Center to develop animal care guidelines to serve as a resource to producers. The manual, titled Caring for Dairy Animals Technical Reference Guide and On-The- Dairy Self-Evaluation Guide, is comprehensive resource of best management practices with referenced material on animal care and welfare. The manual covers all aspects of animal care and is sectioned by quality control points.
The first step in utilizing the guidelines is to familiarize yourself with the contents of them. After reading through the guidelines, then any changes to your operation that you deem necessary should be made. The next step is to verify that you follow the guidelines through a self-audit. A checklist is included at the beginning of the Caring for Dairy Animals Technical Reference Guide that serves as a self-audit form. These lists of BMPs are not required, but they are listed to initiate dialogue and consultation with your management team.
After completing the self-audit, the final step is to have your practices verified by a third-party auditing group. The DQA Center has a Five-Star Dairy Quality Assurance Program that is an audit, which encompasses not only animal welfare, but milk quality and safety, environmental stewardship, and pathogen management. The Food Marketing Institute and the National Council of Chain Restaurants have also commissioned a company called SES, Inc. to develop audits for the various livestock species. Their program is called the Animal Welfare Audit Program and there is a specific dairy audit form developed. Both programs are voluntary programs.
To order a copy of the Caring for Dairy Animals Technical Reference Guide, check out the Dairy Quality Assurance Center website. You may also order by phone by calling 1-800-55-DAIRY. The cost for this manual is $15.00 for NMPF members and $25.00 for non-members.
Useful Links Relating to Dairy Animal Care and Animal Welfare
