USDA Resumes Meat Purchases From Calif. Slaughterhouse Accused Of Cruelty

FRESNO, Calif. (CBS/AP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is buying meat again from a Central California slaughterhouse that's been at the center of an animal cruelty investigation.

A statement the USDA issued Monday says that Central Valley Meat Co.'s improved oversight for animal welfare prompted the government to reinstate purchases for federal feeding programs.

Officials with the Food Safety and Inspection Service concluded last week that there was no evidence of sick cattle entering the food supply after an undercover video showed workers kicking and shocking downed cattle in an attempt to herd them to slaughter.

The USDA will conduct quarterly audits at the Hanford company until it successfully completes four audits in a row.

The government suspended its purchases last month after seeing the video recorded by the animal welfare organization Compassion Over Killing.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)