Downed cow disgrace. For those of you who haven’t heard, a shocking investigation by The Humane Society of the United States revealed the mistreatment of “downed” dairy cows — those who are too sick or injured to walk — at a Southern California slaughter plant. [News Source]

If climate sceptics are right, it is time to worry. The continuing scientific uncertainty about the pace of climate change should make us more concerned, not less. [News Source]

Humane Society vs. the food industry. Whether companies and farmers agree with him or simply recognize a new market for humanely produced food, Pacelle and the Humane Society have won changes at large food companies in the past year. [News Source]

Hide ‘n sick. It makes you wonder just what they’re ingesting that we don’t yet know about. Are federal officials concealing or overlooking contamination by other potentially lethal pollutants? [News Source]

Dole says action needed to prevent slaughterhouse abuse. Former Sen. Bob Dole, who expanded humane slaughter legislation three decades ago, says action is needed to prevent violations like those documented in a recent undercover video at a slaughterhouse. [News Source]

Lawmakers seek change from USDA after meat recall. 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. [News Source]

Ag Secretary resists ‘downer’ cow ban. The Agriculture Secretary on Thursday resisted calls from Democratic senators for a complete ban on so-called downer cattle — those unable to walk — from entering the food supply. [News Source]

Lawyer blames plant manager in beef recall. The lawyer representing a slaughterhouse worker shown in a gruesome video that helped trigger the largest meat recall in U.S. history says his client followed directions from management. [News Source]

Meat recall prompts insurance concerns. Middlemen who are still holding meat from Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. are nervous about whether their insurance will compensate them for the largest recall in U.S. history. [News Source]

Agriculture Dept. vows to improve animal welfare. Under sharp criticism for failing to detect animal abuse at a big California slaughterhouse, the Department of Agriculture promised on Thursday to step up its efforts to see that animals are treated humanely. [News Source]