From: Linda Fleming [lfleming1@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2001 4:56 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: In support of petition to prohibit slaughter of downed animals
- Docket # 98P-0151/CP1

Re: Docket # 98P-0151/CP1

Please support the petition to prohibit the slaughter
of downed animals.
   Downed animals are those animals too sick or
injured to stand. These animals often end up at
auction yards or slaughter houses and can enter the
human food chain. These animals are too sick to 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".
Furthermore these animals are treated very cruelly.
They are left to suffer and get sicker. There is no
humane way to move a downed animal; they are typically
dragged to slaughter 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 not cause 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. Numerous beef,
dairy, and pork industry representatives have voiced
support for such a prohibition.
Allowing for slaughter of downed animals creates a
human health risk and promotes inhumane treatment of
animals. The FDA should approve the petition and
prohibit the slaughtering of downed animals.
Signed

Linda M. Fleming

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