US says Indian Photos of Cow Slaughter to Damage Bilateral Ties

NEW DEHLI, India – Recent publication of graphic images of cows at an American slaughterhuose released by the Indian Cultural Affairs Office on Thursday mean a stronger legal case against cattle consumption, the Indian government says. Indian government officials have been monitoring American slaughterhouse activity and the nation is still considering what kind of legal action is available, should be taken, and which institutions and individuals should be targeted.

The picture above was released by the Indian Cultural Affairs Office and shows a spinning sawblade about to slit the throat of one cow in an American industrial slaughterhouse. The cow swinging from the mechanical rack was in the same position 30 seconds before.

Environment Minister Gogel Ganguli says the pictures support India’s position in condemning cattle slaughter. “I think it’s explicitly clear from these images that this is industrial-style killing of cows.” Agricultural Minister Kumar Patel said the “shocking images” would support international legal action to stop the mass factory farming of cows that claims the lives of more than a hundred million cows a year in the United States alone. It is not yet clear how the pictures were obtained.

The US State Department has condemned the Indian government and media for “creating emotional propaganda to mislead the public.” The Agricultural Department has further asserted that instead of publication of images that insight fear and hate, “we must handle the issues calmly and avoid damaging friendly relations.” The United States was particular concerned about one leading media report titled, “Death! Dismemberment! Exclusive footage of America’s shocking cattle slaughter!”

Complicating the debate is the finding that red meat can directly and indirectly cause a wide variety of health problems including cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. But the findings have not swayed US government officials. As part of the regular US rebuttal of India’s beef with these matters, Washington says its slaughter is legal and part of its historical food culture. The Hindu practice of revering cows in India is not a value that should be exported overseas at the expense of friendly relations, said a government spokesman.

Yet international pressure on the United States is growing. Jolipimp Wigglebottom, the environment commissioner of ASEAN, released a statement reading in part, “the graphic images on our television screens bring home the reality of cattle slaughter.”

Amid the tensions, a poll published Wednesday said that nearly two-thirds of Americans back beef consumption, although support is apparently waning among vegetarians.

Author notes: Image taken from the documentary film Our Daily Bread. Actual method of execution was either electrical or captive bolt. Thanks as always to Party Pooper for creative inspiration.