From: Justin Sivey [jsivey@geari.org]
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2001 12:50 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Extremely concerned

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
 
I am urging you to grant petition 98P-0151/CP1 to prohibit the slaughter of downed animals. 

Why?  Please consider the following, 

* Animals who are too sick or injured even to stand should not be allowed to enter the human food chain.
* In addition to posing an increased risk for bacterial contamination, there is evidence that some downed animals may be afflicted with a form of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or "Mad Cow Disease"), a disease which has been linked to a fatal human illness (CJD or Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease).
* It is impossible to move downed animals humanely, and they are typically pushed with tractors or dragged with chains - inhumane processes which cause injuries ranging from bruises and abrasions, to broken bones and torn ligaments.
* Downed animals comprise a very small percentage of animals slaughtered, and prohibiting their marketing will cause no undue economic hardship.
* Industry experts have estimated that 90% percent of downed animals can be prevented with better care and handling.  Removing the market for downed animals will provide an incentive to industry to prevent downed animals in the first place.

Thank you, 
 
Justin Sivey