Rabbi Harry Maryles writes about the new Tsedek Hecher proposed by the Conservative Movement:
… It would behoove the kosher certification industry to create their own standards and Hashgacha on this issue and to make Hechsherim (kosher certification) contingent on whether these guidelines are followed. Just because “they [the Conservative Movement] thought of it” doesn’t mean we can’t implement it. It is a good idea. Only I would take it a step further and make certain that not only are laborers fairly treated but that animals are humanely treated as well.
The Kosher meat industry has not performed well in this area and this was true even before Rubashkin ever existed. Rav Ahron [Soloveichik] told our Shiur way back in the seventies that he was disgusted by the wide spread practice at the time of shackling the cattle by its hind legs, then hoisting and suspending them upside down for slaughter. This is a completely inhumane and unnecessary practice.
He also felt that the way in which veal was and still is produced today is inhumane and unacceptable. I believe Rabbi Soloveichik never touched veal because of it. Our appetites for veal should not trump the torture those calves must go through. I’m not sure if the practice of hoisting and shackling still exists or how common it is. But it ought to be stopped if it exists at all. Animals mistreated in this or any other way in the Shechita (Kosher slaughtering) process must be barred from getting any kind of Hechsher. Slaughtering animals should be done as humanely as possible. It is long past time we implemented such standards so we can truly be a light unto the nations instead of an embarrassment to God.…
Both Rubashkin and Satmar (Alle, Meal Mart, etc.) import large quantities of meat from South America. As I have reported several times over the past two years, food industry sources say those animals are shackled and hoisted. That means any glatt kosher hot dog, burger, etc., that you eat will for the most part be made up of at least some meat from South America, meat that is shackled and hoisted before slaughter.
UPDATE 2-13-07: I forgot that Rubashkin buys veal and lamb from Atlanitc, which failed its animal welfare audit in September of 2006 because it uses shackle and hoist. And, yes, the OU and Rubashkin's other rabbis approve of that method of slaughter.