USDA proposes downer rule The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced yesterday a proposed rule to amend the Federal meat inspection regulations to initiate a complete ban on the slaughter of cattle that become non-ambulatory after initial inspection by Food Safety and Inspection Service personnel. Under the proposed rule, all cattle that are non-ambulatory disabled at any time prior to slaughter, including those that become non-ambulatory disabled after passing ante-mortem inspection, will be condemned and properly disposed of. Previously, USDA allowed a case-by-case re-inspection of cattle that became disabled following a pre-slaughter inspection by FSIS personnel. If the inspector deemed the animal fit for human food it could then be slaughtered....