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Audit debunks allegations of animal abuse at federal facility

Photo courtesy USMARC

A Nebraska cattle industry leader says he’s pleased, but not surprised, with the outcome of a USDA audit of animal welfare conditions at the Nebraska-based U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC).

The report from USDA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) stems from a 2015 New York Times article that alleged animal abuse at the federal livestock research facility. Contrary to those allegations, OIG says it found no evidence of animal mistreatment at USMARC.

Pete McClymont, executive vice president of Nebraska Cattlemen, says the report “validates the excellent care” that USMARC employees provide to animals.

“This report does a really good job of validating the professional approach they’ve had for years,” McClymont says. “Unfortunately, when a select few want to try to pull down something as great as the Meat Animal Research Center, we have to go through a deliberate process like this.”

McClymont says those opposed to livestock production and meat consumption will continue to look for ways to attack the industry.

“This is the world we live in with people that maybe don’t appreciate meat animal protein, from simply saying they disagree with it as opposed to attacking it,” he says.

Nebraska Farm Bureau president Steve Nelson also weighed in on the report, saying “it is critical that the record be set straight when such claims are falsely made”.

“Far too often, animal rights extremists and their agents use unsubstantiated claims of abuse and neglect as a way to portray those involved with animal agriculture in a negative light,” Nelson says. “These tactics are meant to harm the reputation and perception of animal agriculture in hopes of dissuading individuals from consuming meat protein.”

The Humane Society of the United States put its own spin on the OIG report, highlighting a recommendation that the Agricultural Research Service improve its oversight of animal welfare and make its research more transparent to the public.

AUDIO: Pete McClymont

  • I don’t know how you can live with yourself. Your headline is disgraceful. The report was prepared by the USDA; what a surprise the department reached the conclusions stated in the report. The expose published by the New York Times speaks for itself.

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