Last fall, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News aired a series of stories following a six-month Team 7 Investigation into the use of so-called "downer" cows.

DOWNER COWS INVESTIGATION Meat From Dying, Sick Or Diseased Cows Getting into Food Aired Oct. 31, 2002, 5 p.m. Volatile Reaction From Viewers, Feds, To Meat Investigation Aired Oct. 31, 2002, 11 p.m. Downer Cows' Treatment May Be Illegal Aired Nov. 1, 2002, 5 p.m. Downer Industry Thrives Despite Consumers' Concerns Aired Nov. 1, 2002, 11 p.m. New Revelations From Ex-State Ag Employee On Downer Cows Aired June 12, 2003, 5 p.m. State Agencies Help Fund Attack On Downer Cow Investigations Aired June 12, 2003, 11 p.m. Market For Downer Cow Beef Is Dying Aired June 13, 2003, 5 p.m.

The Washington State Beef Commission, Washington Dairy Products Commission, and Midway Meats Inc. have issued a complaint about the series with KIRO 7. The commissions have also filed a complaint with the Washington News Council, a media watchdog group.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News stands by the series of stories by KIRO 7 Eyewitness News Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne as solid, well-documented journalism -- the result of an exhaustive, long-term investigation by an award-winning team of professionals.

For the multi-part series, KIRO Team 7 Investigators talked with 68 sources, recorded hours of undercover videotape of cattle sale transactions, dug through thousands of public records, and interviewed dozens of nationally recognized experts on downer cows. The investigative report was clear, verifiable, balanced and fair.

KIRO-TV's Responses
KIRO 7's Responses To The Beef & Dairy Commissions' Complaint

Why KIRO Does Not Participate in the WNC Hearing on the Beef & Dairy Commissions' Complaint

Chris Halsne's Response To A Seattle P-I Column About The Series

Your Say
Should the USDA require labeling of products containing downer meat?

Should the USDA allow downer cows to be turned into hamburger and other meat products?

Contacts:
Email the Washington State Dairy Council
Email the Washington State Beef Commission