Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Friday condemned alleged abuses at a Vermont slaughter plant based on evidence provided by a Humane Society of the United States mole.

According to an HSUS press release, USDA and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture have suspended operations at Grande Isle, Vt.-based Bushways Packing Co. after HSUS released a videotape with footage showing abuses including calves being kicked, slapped and "repeatedly" shocked with electric prods.

"The deplorable scenes recorded in the video released by the Humane Society of the United States are unequivocally unacceptable. The callous behavior and attitudes displayed in the video clearly appear to be violations of USDA's humane handling regulations," Vilsack said in a USDA-issued statement.

Animal scientists Temple Grandin and Kurt Vogel, according to HSUS, also condemned the alleged acts: "The handling practices and attention to insensibility at this plant are unacceptable and must improve," they were quoted as saying.

Vilsack said USDA is investigating alleged violations of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA). He said he also has asked the Inspector General to conduct a criminal investigation. FSIS inspection personnel appear to be implicated.

"FSIS has a rigorous program to train inspection personnel in verifying humane handling and slaughter at establishments," Vilsack said. "When an FSIS employee observes behaviors that are not in compliance with the HMSA, they are obligated to take immediate action. The behavior of FSIS and establishment personnel witnessed in this video is inexcusable."

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