Based on a seven-month investigation, this series reveals major flaws in the U.S. government's meat safety net. A joint effort with Dateline NBC examines the spread of deadly E. coli bacteria.

The Post reveals how increased production speeds at many processing plants causes the botched slaughter of cows and pigs, condemning the animals to a slow and painful death.

Somewhere, USA: It seems we are mostly interested in this issue of "humane slaughtering" because of its impact on human health.

I wonder if we can reach a point of selflessly viewing this issue from the perspective of cows, pigs, chickens, and sheep, regardless of its impact on us.

Gail Eisnitz: I agree. We have to start giving consideration to the wellbeing of the animals themselves. Meat contamination aside, this is fundamentally a question of ethics. Right now in the United States, hundreds of thousands of animals are needlessly tortured in slaughterhouses sue to neglegent corporate practices and virtually non-existent federal oversight.

Fairfax, Va.: Thanks for your work to discontinue these horrific practices. What can I do to put pressure on politicians and administrators to enforce the law and treat animals humanely?

Gail Eisnitz: There's a lot that the public can do. You can start by by contacting Governor Gary Locke in Washington State and demand that he ensures that IBP - Wallula is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. For more information on this campaign, please visit our website at www.hfa.org.

Washington, D.C.: As in the case of the young girl who died from E. coli, how is it possible that meat can be "repeatedly exposed" to feces?

Gail Eisnitz: Most animal carcasses are not tested for the majority of contaminants that are causing deaths and illnesses in people. In addition, inspectors are being taken off the lines, being replaced by the company's own employees, and the bottom line is that the production line doesn't stop for anything. It's been shown time and time again, that the industry's self regulation is a recipe for disaster.

Takoma Park, Maryland: I was horrified by the article in today's Post and would like to know what everyday citizens can do to help? It seems the industry understands the pocketbook ramifications of this, so, is the only way to make a point to stop eating beef and let them know it?

Gail Eisnitz: That certainly sends a powerful message to the industry. I'd like to point out, however, that in my investigations and as documented in my book Slaughterhouse, I've uncovered the fact that hogs are routinely immersed in scalding tanks, as are millions of chickens.

Los Angeles, Calif.: How do farms and the beef industry in general respond to these allegations of animal abuse?

Are there federal laws in place to protect farm animals or is it up to us to create an uproar?

Gail Eisnitz: They're first response is to deny that any problems exist. However, when they're presented with irrefutable evidence of widespread animal abuse, such as the videotape obtained by HFA at IBP-Wallula, they're tactic changes somewhat. When caught red-handed, they will claim that these were "isolated incidents" and they will attempt to have seeming "independent" third-parties act as spokespersons in an attempt to cast the company in a favorable light.

No one should be led to believe that the policies announced by McDonald's and other fast food outlets are preventing these atrocities. While McDonald's touts their audits in improving slaughtering conditions, consider this: IBP -Wallala, which is currently under civil and criminal investigation, has been a supplier of McDonald's. When originally audited by McDonald's, despite the fact that large numbers of cattle were being skinned and dismembered alive, IBP-Wallula passed McDonald's audits.

Los Angeles, Calif.: With all due respect, why is this all of a sudden an issue in people's minds? Cruelty to cows, pigs and chickens has been ongoing for decades. It is why many of us quit meat altogether.

There's a saying, "If slaughterhouses were made of glass, we'd all be vegetarians."

Gail Eisnitz: It has been very difficult getting the mainstream media to cover this issue. My book discusses the reluctance of the mainstream media to cover this issue. That's why it's encouraging that the Washington Post and Dateline are taking a lead in this area and tackling this important yet long-neglected issue.

Prince Frederick, Md.: I am disgusted the way these poor animals are treated, to say the least, and I have now sworn off beef and pork. But aren't they bled after stunning? And if so, I would think they would die from that. What gives?

Allen D.

Gail Eisnitz: There a few reasons. First, in many plants, animals are skinned and/or dismembered literally within seconds of having their throats cut. Second, conscious animals react to being bled by contracting their muscles which enables them to hold their blood in. Third, due to fast line speeds and the fact that conscious animals are often struggling, the person who cuts the throat often can not make an accurate cut, leading the animals to bleed to death very slowly. The net result is increased cruelty to animals and increased incidents of worker injuries.

Sickened: Your group has animals' best interests at heart but I worry that your efforts are overshadowed by strong consumer demand for beef. Getting it into the marketplace comes first, no matter who suffers (slaughtered animal or sick child with E. coli). Without constant monitoring, how can you get these slaughterhouses to change for good?

Gail Eisnitz: Good point. Without constant monitoring it won't change for the better and it will remain in its currently dreadful state. That's why the Humane Farming Association and the meat inspectors union are in the process of filing a formal petition with the federal government to demand fulltime monitoring. In the meantime, HFA investigators are busy documenting additional abuses at slaughterhouses nationwide. Please see our website at www.hfa.org for further info about our campaign and how YOU can help on this and other efforts to alleviate animal suffering.

Gail Eisnitz: Although time is limited here, I'd like to refer people to my book SLAUGHTERHOUSE which documents the atrocities which take place in packing plants across the country on a daily basis. It represents first-ever interviews with workers who have spent their lives behind the locked doors of America's slaughterhouses.

Reston, Va.: I saw the videotape of the IBC slaughterhouse and found it very disturbing. The images nearly brought me to tears! The vegetarian movement might have another "convert."

If members of the federal and state governments feel powerless (particularly in Texas, where beef production is a major revenue), what venues of activism does your organization use to encourage companies to follow the Humane Slaughter Act?

Gail Eisnitz: Our approach is two-fold. One is for HFA to continue to document and expose the widespread abuses that are taking place. Secondly, we need to bring that documentation forward to state and federal authorities as we have in the Washington State IBP case in order to bring appropriate charges against companies that are in violation of the law.

Somewhere, USA: It seems to me the meat industry as a whole enjoys a lot of freedom and very laxed laws from how they slaughter to how they handle meat before it arrives in our supermarkets.

Do they have such a strong hold on Washington with their rigorous lobbying that they seemingly can do as they wish?

Gail Eisnitz: The answer, unfortunately, is yes. That's why we've made the most progress not through legislation but through consumer education, and working with state and local officials to enforce state laws.

Seattle, Wash.: Are the workers who blew the whistle on the inhumane slaughter going to retaliated against by IBP? What can be done to protect them from being fired or disciplined?

Gail Eisnitz: The workers have been under enormous pressure, they've been threatened, interrogated, and suspended. Humane Farming Association has retained an attorney to help protect them from company retaliation.

© Copyright 2001 The Washington Post Company

Click here to see video grabs from Gail's groundbreaking investigation.
Warning: contains graphic images.