Lawmakers seek change from USDA after meat recall

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Oversight of the U.S. food supply must be drastically overhauled, starting with a ban on the slaughter of unfit cattle and tougher penalties for the mistreatment of animals, Senate lawmakers said on Thursday.

The recall of 143 million lbs of meat, mostly beef, on February 17 came three weeks after the Humane Society of the United States released videotapes from an undercover investigation showing Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co workers using abusive techniques to force sick cattle into the slaughterhouse.

The American people "want a solid plan for the future. Because something has to change. And if change doesn't come quickly, some people should be thinking about new careers," Sen. Herb Kohl, a Wisconsin Democrat who heads the Senate agriculture appropriations subcommittee, told Agriculture Department officials.

Kohl also asked USDA to audit all plants that supply food to the department's nutrition programs in 30 days or less.

The meat was recalled by the California plant because the plant butchered "downer" cattle in violation of federal rules. Beef from downer cattle -- where the animal is too ill or injured to walk -- is usually not allowed in the food supply. The rule was adopted as a safeguard against "mad cow" disease.

Meat packers are required to alert USDA veterinarians of sick animals so they can decide if the animal can be slaughtered for food.

Most of the meat in the recall has been consumed with at least 55 million lbs purchased for school lunches and other federal nutrition programs.

USDA's Office of the Inspector General is investigating to see what individuals at the plant were responsible, and whether the case was an isolated incident or happening elsewhere.

"Once the investigation has concluded, we will have additional information to determine the actions for oversight, inspection and enforcement that may be required," said Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer.

Lawmakers, the Humane Society and consumer groups have called for a series of changes to improve food safety, including a blanket-ban on slaughtering downer animals.

"Any company that slaughters downed animals and knowingly violates the laws and regulations governing sick and downed animals should have their operating licenses revoked permanently," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat.

The department has maintained there have been no illnesses from the recall and there was a minor risk of someone getting sick from eating the meat.

(Additional reporting by Charles Abbott; Editing by Russell Blinch and Christian Wiessner)