USDA AgriProcessors Investigation: 6 Months After, Still Not Released

It's now 6 months after the USDA sent inspectors into AgriProcessors, Rubashkin's Postville, Iowa slaughterhouse of throat-ripping infamy. In December, shortly after the inspectors left Postville, the USDA issued new training guidelines that would, if followed, shut down an operation like Rubashkin's throat-ripping shechita.

But the USDA has not released findings of its investigation. Why?

Because Orthodox Jews – especially haredim – are perceived to vote in blocks under the direction of their rabbis, and their rabbis want desperately for Rubashkin to be exonerated.

Why are the rabbis so intent on exonerating Rubashkin?

For the following reasons:

1. Because their fate is linked with his. FailedMessiah.com has now confirmed that on October 23, 2003, leading rabbis and kosher industry leaders met with the USDA in Washington and lobbied successfully for directives on religious slaughter to be changed. The changes they lobbied for – with the help of Rubashkin's attorney Nathan Lewin – led directly to the throat-ripping and other horrible violations seen on the PETA video.
2. Statements issued by the OU, Nathan Lewin and Menachem Lubinsky all acknowledge that throat-ripping was sanctioned by the kosher supervising agencies. A finding of guilt by the USDA could easily open up those agencies to prosecution.
3. A finding of guilt would seriously damage the industry's spin on kosher: "It's healthier and it's more  humane."
4. The rabbis attacked PETA, comparing PETA to the Nazis and implying PETA's primary motivation was antisemitism and not animal welfare. A USDA finding of guilt would effectively destroy the rabbis' spin and further undermine the already shaky relationship between the rabbis and the Jewish public at large.

Look for the USDA results to be published – sometime after the 2006 elections. The Bush Administration cannot afford to alienate rabbis who deliver votes before then.

UPDATE: The report finding Rubashkin violated animal cruelty laws and that USDA inspectors took illegal gifts from Agriprocessors was released on March 9, 2006 – but only after a Freedom of Information request from PETA forced it into the open.

Click here for the NYTimes report on the this and a link to the PDF of the entire (heavily censored) USDA report.

Comments

[i. frank]

following is a letter I sent to Nathan Lewin

Nathan Lewin

AgriProcessors

Postville, Iowa

Dear Sir:

As a respected orthodox community leader and attorney you now have an unprecedented opportunity to effect a tremendous

KIDDUSH HASHEM

and bring peace of mind to the multitude of those who eat Rubashkin and Aaron’s meat products.

Some reliable shochtim have suggested that those who run the AgriProcessor plant in Postville , Iowa should make three major changes in the processing procedures, even though the current procedures may be in accord with halacha. These are:

1: Every shochet should be required to make only

full deep cuts rather than the shallow cuts in their shehita.

2: Utilize in the Postville plant one of the holding pens that Dr.Temple Grandin has created for other glatt kosher plants, instead of the rotating drum that keeps the animal upside down.

3: Require that all animals which have not collapsed within 30 seconds after shehita should be set aside for non-glatt or non-kosher use as done in kosher plants in Canada.

It may take a great deal of courage to institute these measures as there would be a temporary decrease in profits and a delay in the expansion into Israeli markets, but if you can use your prestige to effect these changes, you will deserve a hearty yasher koach.

Sincerely,

I. Frank

[been around the block]

I Frank, noble effort, I'm behind ya all the way. Just don't sit out by the mailbox waiting for a reply.

[Neo-Conservaguy]

Those are three fine suggestions that were already made by many qualified people and organizations; therefore, they will not happen. Isn't one of the economic issues that Israel requires the upside-down slaughter pen?

In the meantime, remember that consumer choice is a powerful tool; chose your meat carefully, and let the restaurants you patronize know your concerns.

[Anne-marie]

i don't know if any of you saw the PETA video but that plant has to be shut down!!!!!

[Jacob]

OH MY GOD!

I have to say it again. OH MY GOD.

I am suprised that no one has burned this place to the ground. Never in my 30 years of life have I seen anything so horrifying and disgusting as that undercover video... and I didn't even make it to the chickens!

Also, isn't it not kosher if it touches the blood of another cow? Those cows were practically on top of each other. And a KILL BOX? Horrifying. Absolutely appalling. (And i am not a peta member or supporter, but wow!)