Final answer:
True, downer cattle, which are unable to stand or walk, must be condemned as they pose risks for food safety and animal welfare. The USDA requires such animals to be humanely euthanized and they are not allowed in the food supply.
Step-by-step explanation:
True: "Downers", if bovine, must be condemned. The term downers refers to cattle that are unable to stand or walk on their own due to illness or injury. These animals are subject to immediate condemnation for several reasons, primarily concerning both animal welfare and food safety. When cattle become non-ambulatory, they pose a higher risk of contamination from the ground materials (such as feces or soil), which makes the meat less safe for human consumption. Moreover, there are high ethical standards in place to prevent suffering among farmed animals, which would include the humane treatment or euthanasia of downer animals.
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, all non-ambulatory cattle, also known as downers, must be humanely euthanized and are not permitted to enter the food supply. This protocol is enforced to protect consumers and ensure the wellbeing of the animals. It is important to ensure that any bovine animals found in this state are kept from further suffering and do not pose a threat to the food chain.