From: Trevor Chin [tmchin@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2001 2:35 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Please Pass Petition (Docket # 98P-0151/CP1)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Dockets Management Branch
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
FAX: 301-827-6870

PETITION TO THE FDA TO PROHIBIT THE SLAUGHTER OF
DOWNED ANIMALS

A petition (Docket # 98P-0151/CP1) is currently before
you to prohibit the slaughter of 'downed' animals.
Downed animals are those animals too sick or injured
to stand. This petition stems from the basis that
animals too sick to even stand should not enter the
human food chain, due to the increased risk of
bacterial contamination, and evidence that some downed
cows may even be afflicted with a form of bovine
spongiform encephalopathy, or "Mad Cow Disease".

    Additionally, there is no humane way to move a
downed animal; they are typically dragged with chains,
or lifted with a forklift, causing suffering and
further injuries.

    Downed animals comprise a  very small percentage
of animals slaughtered, and prohibiting their
marketing would cause no undue economic hardship. In
fact, removing the market for downed animals would
encourage better treatment and handling, thus
preventing most downers in the first place.

     There is growing consensus for such a
prohibition, even among livestock industry and
government officials. The USDA has already instituted
a policy of refusing to accept meat from downed
animals for the National School
Lunch Program, and numerous beef, dairy, and pork
industry representatives have voiced support for such
a prohibition.

Please grant Docket # 98P-0151/CP1. 

Sincerely,




=====

Trevor M. Chin

9808 Sir Frederick St

Tampa, FL 33637

(813) 980-6814


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