Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 2, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke calls for impartial probe of packing house

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today directed the Washington Department of Agriculture to assemble a team of experts to investigate allegations of violations of animal cruelty, as well as worker and food safety laws, at a Wallula meat packing plant.

Those allegations against Iowa Beef Processors (IBP) were contained in a citizen petition delivered this week to Gregoire and Jim Jesernig, director of the Department of Agriculture.

"This is a complicated situation because several jurisdictions are involved," Locke said. "Therefore I am asking the Department of Agriculture to assemble an impartial team of state and federal experts to conduct a thorough investigation.

"If this investigation reveals any violations of worker or food safety or animal cruelty laws, I expect federal, state and local authorities to act immediately to correct them and bring appropriate charges," Locke added.

He explained the U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for food safety. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries is responsible for worker safety and health issues. The state and federal departments of Agriculture enforce animal cruelty and humane slaughter laws.

Locke asked Jesernig to include on the investigative team representatives of the following agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Services; Washington departments of Agriculture and Labor and Industries; Washington State Patrol; the Attorney General's Office; and the Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Some of the allegations were reported in the Seattle press late last month.

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