Humane Society sues USDA in cow case

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Humane Society has sued the U.S. Agriculture Department over a new provision that allegedly allows potentially sick cows to get into the food supply.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, says the agency's provision, which a New York Times report Thursday characterized as a "loophole," gave a financial incentive to the meat industry to send unhealthy cattle to slaughter.

The Humane Society backed up its claim with the widely publicized undercover videotape of workers in Chino, Calif., who appeared to be abusing cattle that seemed to have trouble walking.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday.

. The January video release led to the biggest beef recall in history -- some 143 million pounds. More than one-third of the beef had been shipped for use in nutrition programs, including school lunches.

Much of the recalled meat has already been eaten. The Agriculture Department said that no one had become ill and that the health risk was minimal.