Reports said that the measure was defeated by a vote of 52 to 42. The language also included additional civil money penalties that go beyond those already established through the Federal Meat Inspection Act. Sixty votes were required for the Senate to proceed to debate and consideration of the bill.
In August, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a proposed rule banning non-ambulatory cattle from the food supply. Since early 2004, non-ambulatory cattle that arrive at packing plants have been prohibited from the meat supply. However, the USDA has permitted animals that arrived ambulatory, pass veterinary inspection and become non-ambulatory because of acute injury to undergo a second inspection.
The American Meat Institute (AMI), together with the National Meat Association and the National Milk Producers Federation, petitioned the USDA and asked the department to end the option to have a second inspection. To see a copy of the industry petition, go to: http://www.meatami.com/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/11881.
Source: American Meat Institute
