SSAP
Well-known member
http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdee ... 594627.htm
Long story in short: the seven bar coded, numbered tags in question matched the bar coded, numbered tags of health certificates accompanying calves delivered directly to the slaughter plant.... the paper trail is pretty irrefutable.
... Canadian cattle at a Swift packing plant in Nebraska were delivered directly from Canada, not by a South Dakota livestock producer, a U.S. Department of Agriculture investigation has determined.
...A USDA official said Wednesday that the investigation revealed that the Canadian cattle were never at Vandyke's operation. Instead, the investigation showed the cattle in question were shipped directly to the plant from Manitoba, Canada, as is allowed by law.
....The USDA was able to use import documents to determine that the animals entered the United States legally, the ag department spokesman said.
... Proper paperwork: However, Sam Holland, state veterinarian for South Dakota, said the paperwork indicates that tags of the cattle in question were checked at the Canadian border. The proper papers were found at the port of entry, he said Wednesday.
..."The paperwork trail that's required for slaughter cattle is pretty irrefutable," Holland added.
...Holland, who has been critical of some USDA dealings, said the investigation into the Vandyke situation was thorough and straightforward. While more work could be done on the case, Holland said that it now appears that the proper information has been released.
...South Dakota Stockgrowers prematurely presented as fact the belief that Vandyke bought Canadian cattle in the state.
Long story in short: the seven bar coded, numbered tags in question matched the bar coded, numbered tags of health certificates accompanying calves delivered directly to the slaughter plant.... the paper trail is pretty irrefutable.