From: Rosa Mertens [Rosa.Mertens@wol.be]
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2001 10:39 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Dockets Management Branch
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
Fax: 301-827-6870
E-mail: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov

:
 
Dear Dockets Management Branch

I urge you to grant the petition to prohibit the slaughter of downed animals, docket number 98P-0151/CP1.  These animals who are sick and cannot even stand should not be allowed to enter the food chain. They pose a  health risk of bacterial contamination, and there is some evidence to show that some may be infected with BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy); a disease which has been linked to a fatal human disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.

The other important considerations are the humane ones. It is impossible to move downed animals humanely, they are either pushed with tractors or dragged with chains which cause injuries ranging from bruises and abrasions to broken bones, and torn ligaments.  This is against the Humane Slaughter Act, in inflicting unnecessary pain and suffering on animals! Prohibiting the marketing of downed animals will not cause any economic hardship, as they compromise such a small percentage of animals slaughtered.

Industry experts estimate that 90% of downed animals can be prevented with better care and handling!  Removing this market will provide an incentive to prevent downed animals in the first place!

Sincerely,
 
Naam:Mertens Rosa
          Konijnenstraat II
          Beerse
          Belgium







        
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