Supreme Court says no to California's prohibition to the slaughter of non-ambulatory pigs,

[sad sally]

7. The lawsuit was filed by the pork producers - who say this is a victory for them

Federal law is about the safety - disease-free non-ambulatory meat.

I guess when people see no problem with prodding a non-ambulatory animal to stand, no matter how inhumane or painful for the animal, the SC is right. People can close their eyes and believe that the bellowing and crying of animals is not pain or that it's okay since the federal law says the non-walking animal is disease-free, but (imo) that doesn't make it right. The California law was an attempt to stop this practice.

Once again, money won; a teachable moment for humane treatment of non-humans lost.
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California’s law was particularly important to the handling of downed pigs because they are the least protected by the federal government. In fact the lawsuit was brought on behalf of California pig farmers.

The federal law allows a downed pig to be slaughtered if a veterinarian or federal inspector determines it is free of disease. The animal can then be forced onto its feet and taken to be killed. HSUS statistics show that 44,000 of the 100 million hogs brought to slaughter each year are unable to walk.

Pork producers say the animals are “overheated, fatigued or stubborn,” and most are back on their feet soon after arriving at a slaughter facility.

Wayne Pacelle, president of the HSUS gave the following statement about the Supreme Court’s ruling:

“This is a deeply troubling decision, preventing a wide range of actions by the states to protect animals and consumers from reckless practices by the meat industry, including the mishandling and slaughter of animals too sick or injured to walk. The fact is, Congress and the USDA have been in the grip of the agribusiness lobby for decades, and that’s why our federal animal handling and food safety laws are so anemic. California tried to protect its citizens and the animals at slaughterhouses from acute and extreme abuses, but its effort was cannibalized by the federal government.”



Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/supreme-court-overturns-california-ban-on-slaughtering-downed-animals.html#ixzz1kPlYDNqC?du