USDA being sued by HSUS

[GrandPooBa]

USDA being sued by organization

http://www.organization.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/hsus_files_suit_against_usda_022708.html

http://www.organization.org/web-files/PDF/farm/organization-v-schafer-usda-complaint.pdf

Getum organization

 

[CUDA]

If you read this article closely it quickly becomes evident that the organization care nothing of the damge they may cause other people as long as they reach their goals.

HSUS Cover - Up

Beef Update: organization Kept Abuse Information From USDA On Purpose

Humane Society of the United States President Wayne Pacelle said the group purposely kept animal abuse information from USDA while it built its case because it needed public outrage to pressure the agency into strong action.

"We specifically did not give this information much in advance to the USDA," Pacelle told Meatingplace.com in an interview. "If it had been given to USDA in advance and they excused the behavior and shut them down for a half a day or a day … that would have been an unacceptable outcome."

He said he called a senior USDA official just before the video tape showing animal handling violations of downer cattle at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. was released to the media.

Citing what he considered a poor record of previous investigations by USDA, the fact that USDA does not have criminal authority for animal abuse and diminished comfort in discussing such things with the agency after Secretary Mike Johanns (whom he knew and respected) departed, Pacelle said, "For so many different reasons we made our decision, and I would certainly handle it in the same way if I could do it over again."

Don't ask, don't tell

Pacelle also stuck to his assertion organization was following San Bernardino district attorney's office instructions by not alerting USDA for over five weeks after it turned tapes over to the district attorney. He refuted statements by San Bernardino County Assistant District Attorney for Criminal Operations Dennis Christy that the office did not bar them, and even encouraged them to contact USDA. (See San Bernardino DA says it did not ask organization to withhold video on Meatingplace.com, Feb. 29, 2008.)

"The issue of USDA never really came up in the discussions. We interpreted the general application of the standard operating procedure to apply to USDA or any other third party," he said.

Future plans

While Pacelle declined to say if organization has any similar investigations in the works, he did indicate the group might come to USDA sooner in the future.

"I briefly met Agriculture Secretary [Ed] Schafer, and I believe him to be a very honorable man … if he is serious about these matters, then that would go a long way in building greater confidence in bringing information to USDA at the appropriate time."

 

[hooligan]

I think what they did with the beef recall was the way to go about it. Given too much advance notice would not have been the best thing, for the reasons stated by organization above.

I love the fact that they are uncovering all this BS that goes on in factory farms. If they all disappeared it would do the world a lot of good and I wouldn't shed a tear.

 

[Settin'_Pretty]

With all due respect, if those factory farms disappeared tomorrow, a lot of people would starve, like them or not.

 

[Josie]

I wonder too how it would affect people, but we are so obese, food would cost a ton more, no more McDonalds.....there are so many factors, but I tend to believe there must be a solution that wouldn't involve putting human lives at risk and/or poorly handling what will ultimately be food.

 

[EggCentric]

Support your local small farmers. Buy your stuff from them, not the grocery store. I know everyone has seen the local small produce stand on the side of the road, buy there. Chickens, buy them from your local person, or from a small backyard breeder instead of the large hatcheries. Got a decent piece of land not being used? Start a co-op garden with your neighbors. Everyone shares the work and benefits from a co-op garden.

If you want things to change, you have to become part of the solution.

Just my two cents.

 

[sfisher]

If the organization gets rid of all the factory farms, who do you think will be next? I hope you all have good lawyers, better ones than the factory farms did. Who wants organization in their backyard, with a camera? They wont stop!

 

[EggCentric]

Quote:
If you aren't doing anything wrong, then you'd have nothing to worry about.

 

[speckledhen]

If you aren't doing anything wrong, then you'd have nothing to worry about.

Well, I sort of disagree about that. What's "wrong" keeps changing at gov't whims, it seems to me. But, I'm won't be getting into a discussion on that.​

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Quote:
If you aren't doing anything wrong, then you'd have nothing to worry about.

In the eyes of organization and PETA the "wrong" is simply owning animals, especially animals that will be slaughtered or used as "slaves" to humans. Sidling up with organization to "protect" non-confinement livestock production is a scary proposition as a short term expedient.

Jim