Downer (animal)
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2010) |
A downer is an animal, usually livestock, that cannot stand on its own and therefore is to be killed. A downed animal, one that is unable to stand, is not necessarily a downer.
Causes
The animal's inability to stand may be caused by illness or injury. In nearly all cases it is considered by most farmers to be both
There are many possible reasons for an animal staying down, including:
- Mastitis
- Metritis
- Hypomagnesaemia
- Postparturient Hypocalcemia
- Ketosis
- Dystocia
- Nerve damage
- Pelvic fracture
- Long bone fracture
- Neurologicaldisease
Use of certain animal feed additives has been linked to downers such as the use of ractopamine in pigs.[1][2]
Situations in different countries
United States
A longstanding issue is whether these animals are treated humanely or inhumanely by shippers, stockyards, and packers while they are being moved or held for slaughter. Legislation periodically is introduced in Congress to outlaw the sale or transfer of such animals, but livestock producer groups have long contended that their voluntary efforts to end harmful practices have already proven successful. The 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171, Sec. 10815) required the USDA to investigate and submit a report on nonambulatory livestock, and to issue and enforce regulations, if deemed necessary, to provide for their humane treatment.[3]
Different jurisdictions have different rules about what can be done with a downer cow. In some jurisdictions the cow may be slaughtered without question. In others, downer cattle may not be slaughtered even if the cause is a physical injury. In the United States, meat inspection is usually an interstate commerce issue, and is regulated by the Federal Meat Inspection Act. Now all livestock auction barns are not allowed to take sick or downer cows because of the rulings that originated with the BSE "mad cow" crisis.
Canada
In Canada, transportation of animals is federally regulated. The Health of Animals Regulations[4] state that an animal has to be fit for the intended journey and that a non-ambulatory animal cannot be transported because transport would cause additional suffering.
The Canadian authority responsible for the welfare of animals that are transported is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.[5]
Mad cow disease and downers
The downer issue took on another dimension when
See also
References
- ^ Paula Crossfield (January 25, 2012). "Controversial Animal Drug at the Heart of International Trade Dispute". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
- ^ American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) (May 9, 2014). "Use of β-Adrenoreceptor Agonists". AVMA. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
- ^ CRS Report for Congress: Agriculture: A Glossary of Terms, Programs, and Laws, 2005 Edition – Order Code 97-905 Archived August 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Health of Animals
- ^ Transportation of Animals Program: Compromised Animals Policy Archived February 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ USDA Announces Proposed Rule for Requirements of the Disposition of Downer Cattle Archived 2017-01-20 at the Wayback Machine - USDA (2008-08-27)
- ^ CRS Report for Congress: Agriculture: A Glossary of Terms, Programs, and Laws, 2005 Edition – Order Code 97-905 Archived August 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine