From: Than Saffel [than@stonecircleinc.com]
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2001 3:00 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov; Susan Shumaker
Subject: Docket # 98P-0151/CP1

 To whom it may concern,

    A petition (Docket # 98P-0151/CP1) is currently before the Food and Drug
Administration 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.
   As an individual who is concerned about the welfare of animals, and about
the integrity of our nation's food supply, I encourage the FDA to prohibit
the slaughter of "downed" animals as recommended in this petition.

Sincerely,

Than Saffel
Morgantown, West Virginia

-----
Than Saffel
Vegetarian World Guides
than@stonecircleinc.com
www.vegetarianworldguides.com