From: Mmcarterx@cs.com
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2001 2:21 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Re: Docket # 98P-0151/CP1 Downed animal bill 


U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
Dockets Management Branch 
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061 
Rockville, MD 20852 


Dear sirs: 

Please add my name to the petition to prohibit the slaughter of downed 
animals. 
And please support this legislation and enforce it when it passes.  As I'm 
sure it will. 

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." 

Of even more importance, in my viewpoint, is the simple fact that 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.  From a 
humane standpoint, this viciously cruel practice has gone on way too long and 
must be corrected immediately. 

In fact, downed animals comprise a very small percentage of animals 
slaughtered; prohibiting their marketing, in spite of the claims of some of 
those in the beef industry, should cause no undue economic hardship. 

On the other hand, removing the market for downed animals should encourage 
better treatment and handling, thus preventing most downers in the first 
place.  Also, it should lessen the number of future health-related liability 
claims, with all their ensuing publicity, against those in any way connected 
with the meat industry. 

Finally, there is growing consensus for such a prohibition, even among 
livestock 
industry representatives--beef, dairy, pork--and among government officials.   
I hope you have already joined this consensus and will vigorously support 
this legislation. 

Signed, 



Marian Carter 
Animal and environmental activist 
2149 E. Norma Avenue 
West Covina, CA 91791