Postville, IA – A new PETA undercover investigation has caught AgriProcessors—the world’s largest kosher slaughterhouse, which is located in Postville, Iowa—cruelly hacking holes in cows’ throats. Dr. Temple Grandin, the world’s foremost expert on slaughter methods, has stated that these gouging, circular cuts cause the cows pain and suffering.
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This isn’t the first time AgriProcessors has been caught disregarding Jewish teachings that urge compassion for animals. In 2004, PETA went undercover at the same plant and videotaped workers who were using a meat hook and a knife to rip out cows’ tracheas while the animals were still conscious—after the shochetim (kosher slaughterers) had cut their throats. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) told the plant to stop this procedure and determined that AgriProcessors employees “had engaged in acts of inhumane slaughter.”
When Dr. Grandin inspected the facility in 2006, the plant showed her slaughters that did not include a second cut at all, and she gave them her approval. Just two weeks prior to PETA’s August 2008 undercover investigation, AgriProcessors gave a private tour to selected rabbis, community leaders, and reporters, and video footage from that tour shows slaughter done without a second cut at all.
Clearly, AgriProcessors wanted consumers to believe that the plant was operating in a manner that would meet the high standards expected, but PETA’s investigation revealed that things happen differently behind closed doors.
New undercover Video
In light of this new video exposing the gouging second cuts—and AgriProcessors’ quite different conduct during the tour—Dr. Grandin has made a new assessment of AgriProcessors, stating, “The undercover video clearly showed that when they think nobody is looking, they do bad things in this plant.”
Demand that the USDA require that AgriProcessors install video cameras on the kill floor as part of a live video-monitoring system that would be audited by a third party. A number of plants already use this important technology, which is recommended by Dr. Grandin, and it ensures that proper procedures and laws are followed at all times.
Again, PETA?
VIN, what’s up with PETA a voice?
They are intent in destroying ALL SHECHITA, not just RUBASHKIN.
Hello, these are the Chicken coups=Holocaust people.
For that alone we should boycott and blackout everything that they say.
I am not surprised about anything the Rubashkins do in their plant.
They always play on the edge of the law. The Rubashkins ALWAYS think they are above the law and then worry about the consequences later
Dr. Temple Grandin, the world’s foremost expert on slaughter methods,
Says who
i say its Yudel Shain
Shechita is done the way the torah says NOT the way PETA says!!!
As far as halacha is concerned, the animal is dead immediately after shechita. They could do what they want after shechita and it is not inhumane al pi torah! All they are doing is cheppering a dead animal. The Germans tried these tactics in the ’30s!
Once the trachea and windpipe are cut the animal is considered dead because it was geshuchten. HOWEVER, they should wait until there is no more movement and so, give an additional five minutes until they rip out the trachea or anything else to possibly cause pain. For five extra minutes or even fifteen, they can do it the kosher way AND the humane way. If not, they wil endanger all kosher meats in this country and we will all become vegetarians.
Once the nerves of the spinal cord are disconnected from the
brain, how is it possible for the animal to feel ANYTHING at all ??
If the lower part of the animal is moving — isn’t it
just automatic spasming — not being controlled by the animal ?
Did you know that Dr Temple is autistic??
She is. She claims to understand and like animals better than humans.
Maybe that’s why she does not mind riuning people’s buisnesses and take away their parnasa.
Re: Anon 11:03 — I don’t think the shchita cut severs the spinal cord. That would require cutting through a lot of bone! I think Avrohom Abba has it right.
Lets face it..how can cutting the throat of a 600 lb animal be done in a way without blood splashing all over the place. As in Humans and animals when the throat is slashed the brain is disconected instantly and motor reactions go out of control and nerves twitch.
There can be no pretty picture of shechita.It is what it is bloody and gory. PETA should worry more about humans being murdered than it does about animals and fish being slaughtered for food and sustanance.
From the evidence in this video [supplied by PETA], it’s apparent that some of the [very serious] charges against Agri-Processors DO have a basis! DR. Grandin expressed no objection to Shechita! As for PETA, they are not a Government agency or a legislative body . They can’t touch Shechita!
For all those rubashkin apologized one question
Why, when the rabbis where at the plant inspecting was the second cut not made?
Answer please
Grandin says 11:04AM. You are confusing the issues! DR. Grandin, [at this time] raised NO objection to Shechita. (as I’ve written in the post below yours) As for her autism. She may be an IDIOT SAVANT! (She did not attend l’Ecole des Normaliens) But in the final analysis, she’s considered the utmost authority on “treatment and Slaughter” of animals!!!
beheading humans is kosher no video there. this is there BIG problem.
If whatever you do after shchita does not affect kashrus, then why is there such objection to “bolting” the animal right after shchita? This is what a lot of countries have required or wanted to implement to the adamant protest of all gedolim.
THIS IS HOW HITLER BEGAN HIS TACTICS TO MURDER 6 MIILION JEWS. IN 1933 HITLER SENT AN UNDERCOVER TEAM TO WATCH KAPORES, HE RELEASED THE CHICKENS & SHOT 35 INNOCENT YIDEN. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? THE PETA PEOLE NEED TO BE SILENCED ONCE & FOR ALL.
ARE WE AIMING FOR ANOTHER 6 MILLION IN GAS CHAMBERS BUT ANIMALS GO FREE????????????????
Please! Please! Please! This is all just a ploy by the unions and PETA to stop the manufacturing of Kosher meat. Two months ago it was Rubashkin, this week it was Alle. If we dont fight them good and hard right now, we may lose schita rights to some liberal judge. I suggest you contact your local Agudah representative and tell them that we as a klal stand together for the benifit of ourselves. Every time another investigation comes out, the price of meat goes up another few cents. Tell these rich union leaders that we live in America. In America you can make a choice where you want to work. If you dont like the conditions or the pay then go somewhere else…like the republic of Iran!!
I could never do what I just seen on this clip
I can see why people dont eat meat……
I felt bad for this cow…..
But I do like my Steak well don……
facility does not look all too modernized. From a sanitary standpoint it looks quite old-fashioned…….
Addressing the comment about work wherever you want a few posts up. I respectfully disagree with that thought. In theory America allows one the choice but certain regions do not have any other choices. Not because they wish to be restrictive but because the local economy has need only for certain jobs. Please do not make a sweeping generalization about opportunity. I am in no way defending conditions for workers that are sub-par or particularly egregious demands by worker unions. If we are looking to a higher code of conduct in all facets of life al pi Torah then perhaps we should look to profit margins that are good but perhaps not lavish (if they are, not knowledgeable enough to know) and conditions that show respect for working people as humans regardless of job.
Look, the bottom line is Agriprocessors said they weren’t doing the second cut any more.
They clearly lied.
Then the Rabbis came and they didn’t do it.
Then when the Rabbis left, they are back to their old tricks.
These animals are probably a nevila because it’s not dead at the time of the second cut and it’s not a frummer yid with langer peyos doing the cut.
Where is the Hashgacha?
Why isn’t the OU calling Rabashkin on the phone saying, “you lied to us.”
And why is it that PETA catches them with their hands down.
Now PETA are against all shechita. That’s true. Even if the shochet gave the behaima a big kiss on the lips first.
But the bottom line is, they nailed Rubashkin.
If you eat Rubashkin, time to switch. At least on their meat.
Who says Dr. Grandin is an ‘expert’ in anything? PETA! Why would anyone believe them or her when we know what their ulterior motives are.
As regard Avrohom Abbas comment about waiting 5 – 15 mins, that would mean 5 – 15 mins of time lost for every animal. As they say, time is money. Rubashkin is a business, & not doing a chesed to provide us meat. If we want cheap kosher meat, we can’t complain about humane methods or not – as long as it complies with halocho.
Just a reminder on the floor of the Beis Hamikdash there were many animals slaughtered daily forget about Erev Pesach.
I’m sure PETA would have had a field day with Melika.
So to all of our holy vegetarians & fellow Yidden who think this plant is old fashioned and cruel. Wake up Sechita is about blood and killing animals. Think about how much blood was on the floor of the Beis Hamikdash. Would you be comfortable there???
One thing I am certain PETA would have made many undercover videos there!!!
its a dicusding video
viewer discretion is advised !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous Says:
For all those rubashkin apologized one question
Why, when the rabbis where at the plant inspecting was the second cut not made?
Answer please
09-05-2008 – 11:41 AM
***************************************
I agree and am waiting for your answer.
Shechita would not be in jeopardy if Rubashkin did what everyone else in the shechita business does.
“Grandin Says:
Did you know that Dr Temple is autistic??”
Rubashkin was more than happy to commend and accept Dr. Grandin as an expert when she pronounced the shechita at Agri as acceptable. But now Agri defenders are attacking her when she has been forced by evidence to change her opinion.
“The G-4 Commissioner Says:
Please! Please! Please! This is all just a ploy by the unions and PETA to stop the manufacturing of Kosher meat….”
Read today’s FORWARD. Half of the kosher meat and poultry producers in this country have organized workforces (UFCW or IBT). It is not in the interest of unions to stop the orduction of kosher meat and poultry. L’hefech! They want these companies to prosper so they’ll hire more workers.
My uncle was a shochet. I watched a lot of shechita and it did not look like this.
How can the mashgichim check the shechita if the throat is cut/ripped out of the behema right after slaughter?
This might contribute to Agri’s unmatched ratio of kosher to treifos.
How could a second cut be creul if the animal is already dead?
“How could a second cut be cruel if the animal is already dead?
In response to Bernard:
The animal is obviously not already dead, especially that soon after shechitah. Halachically, shechita is complete after the intial cut and the animal, by halachic definition, is dead at that time; but as you saw in the original PETA undercover video of AgriProcessors, the cattle were struggling to their feet in agony for up to three minutes after shechita, and after the live dismemberment (with their tracheas dangling from their necks). The inverted pen makes things worse, because stressed, panicked animals remain conscious much longer. Clearly, there shouldn’t be any additional cuts performed until the animals are fully insensible and fully unconscious.
Mashgiach leaves after a first cut and what looks like a worker starts cutting from there — no checking of the animal. Please – someone who is familiar with halachos tell us if this is true.
Lock and Load 12:46PM. …Wait till you see how Salami, Bologna (Baloney) and the other deli-meats are processed! I have no doubt you’ll become a vegetarian! [until your next craving, for steak…)
The government shouls give Rubashkin an ultinatum.If u do not allow us to install cameras at your expence then we seize your plant and its up on public auction.Apparently this is the only language they understand.
We wish to make clear that nothing in any such post-shechita
“second cut” or excision in any way undermines the validity of the
shechita itself or the kosher status of the slaughtered animal’s meat.
We further note that regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
explicitly approve a second cut to facilitate bleeding.Rabbi Yisroel Belsky
Halachic Consultant
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America
Rabbi Sholem Fishbane
Kashruth Administrator
Chicago Rabbinical Council
Rabbi Menachem Genack
Rabbinic Administrator
Kashrus Division
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America
Rabbi Asher Hatchuel
Rabbinic Head
Sephardic Beth Din of America
Rabbi Moshe Heinemann
Rabbinic Administrator
Star-K Certification
Rabbi Emanuel Holzer
Chairman, Kashrus Committee
Rabbinical Council of America
Rabbi Chaim Kohn
Rabbinic Administrator
Khal Adas Jeshurun
Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz
Head of Beth Din
Chicago Rabbinical Council
Rabbi Yitzchok Stein
Rabbinic Head
Beth Din of Karlsburg
Rabbi Yechiel Steinmetz
Rabbinic Judge
Monsey, NY
Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum
Nirbater Rav
Rabbinic Supervisor
Alle Processing Corporation
Rabbi Menachem Meir Weissmandl
Rabbinic Head
Nitra Beth Din of Monsey
and how is non-kosher meat slaughtered
Grandin Says:
comments – arrow Did you know that Dr Temple is autistic??
She is. She claims to understand and like animals better than humans.
Maybe that’s why she does not mind riuning people’s buisnesses and take away their parnasa.
______________________________________________
I think you have a point. I am going to write the feds please release all drugs dealers, con men, mafia dons and the rest NOW. How could you
take away their parnasa.
I guess the same could be said when the government goes after the Yiddish slum lords and crooked electronic stores. The defense would be Don’t take away my parnasa.
Parnasa has nothing to do with this discussion the question is “is it cruel and inhuman” and we all know it is not part of Shcita.
“to all halacha seekers Says:
We wish to make clear that nothing in any such post-shechita “second cut” or excision in any way undermines the validity of the shechita itself or the kosher status of the slaughtered animal’s meat. We further note that regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture explicitly approve a second cut to facilitate bleeding.”
Nice to know according to these Rabbonim, that the ultimate arbiter of halacha in this country, is the US Government.
Satmar shchiteh is the best
PETA WAKKOS NEED TO BE DEALT WITH. THEY CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO DESTROY SH’CHITA IN THE USA. THEY ARE R’SHOIM OF THE HIGHEST ORDER!!
Lets just recall that the germans yemach shmom v’zichrom also were more concerend about animals than people.
david,
you are a tipish. go back to satmarburg.
PETA wont care who is the shochet or if he went to the mik in the morning etc. THEY ARE OUT TO DESTROY SH’CHITA AND THEN THEY WILL KILL THE “ANIMAL” INDUSTRY HERE.
ShatzMatz, who objects to bolting after shechitah? In Australia it is done, at the government’s insistence, and all the rabbonim permit it.
To those who asked, the second cut is only done when it’s needed; in most cases there’s no need for it, so it’s not done. Leaving the animal to stop moving before cutting it again would cause the blood to remain inside and that would affect the quality of the meat.
The second cut is done so that a hook can pull out the trachea. When the trachea is pulled out it RIPS THE SIRCHOS and when the Bodek checks the lungs it will LOOK GLATT. That IS THE REAL PROBLEM. Forget about PETA.
where exactly did you see someone using a hook or anything else for that matter to pull out the trachea? and who even accused agri of continuing to do this? some emes!!!
Simply HORRIFYING!
My grandfather, a kosher, would roll over in his grave if he witnessed these brutally cruel and barbaric acts.
Shame on anyone who still buys Rubashkin’s meat after seeing this.
It is NOT kosher. Period.
Rubashkin must be SHUT DOWN.
to Rina Deych –
The fact that your grandfather was “a kosher” makes you an expert in what is or isn’t good shechita?
(What exactly does one do as “a kosher”?)
Try thinking before spewing useless drivel.
Anon 2:13,
“These animals are probably a nevila because it’s not dead at the time of the second cut and it’s not a frummer yid with langer peyos doing the cut.”
If a second cut is made by a frimmer yid mit langer payos, the din of miyut basra kicks in and the animal is trief because of shehiya. That is why it is specifically a goy that makes the second cut after the shochet is done with the schechitah. The goy could use a chain saw and the animal is still kosher. perhaps you should occupy yourself with the two thousand animals that the PETA hypocrites kill every year instead of attacking Jews.
http://www.petakillsanimals.com