From: Norma J. F. Harrison [normaha@pacbell.net]
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2001 3:53 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: grant petition DOCKET NUMBER : 98P-0151/CP1

                           FDA PETITION

   PROHIBIT SLAUGHTER OF DOWNED ANIMALS.



"No Downers " Campaign Update

Last year, the USDA  announced a landmark policy to stop
purchasing meat from downed cows for federal programs,
including the national  school lunch program. The Agency stated,

 " The USDA will no longer accept ground beef that includes
product from non-ambulatory cattle, commonly known as "downers".
This development shows a growing consensus- even among
livestock industry and government officials- that the marketing
and slaughter of downed animals is unacceptable.
Our chances of stopping the downed animal trade are better now
than ever, and letters are needed to urge the  Food and Drug
Administration to grant  petition 98P-0151/CP1 to prohibit the
slaughter of downed animals.



Robyn Thunderchild
Campaigns Coordinator, Farm Sanctuary.


to urge that they grant our petition to
prohibit the slaughter of downed animals -

         DOCKET NUMBER : 98P-0151/CP1



U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Dockets Management Branch


RE: DOCKET NUMBER :   98P-0151/CP1




1:  Animals who are too sick or injured even to stand should not be
 allowed to enter the human food chain.

2: 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).

3: 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.

4: Downed animals comprise a very small percentage of animals
slaughtered, and prohibiting their marketing will cause no undue
economic hardship.

5: 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.


###
==========================================

 Downed Animal Protection Act
(H.R. 443 & S. 515)

Farm Sanctuary and other animal protection organizations are
lobbying to pass the Downed Animal Protection Act in Washington,
DC.  This commonsense measure requires that animals who
are too sick to stand  (i.e. "downed animals") be humanely
euthanized at stockyards.

co-sponsor the
Downed Animal Protection Act.   Representatives support H.R. 443 and Senators support S. 515.

Letter to Senator and Representative :

Dear Honorable Senator/Representative,

I am writing to let you know of my concern for downed animals,
animals that are too sick or injured even to stand.  Downed animals
are frequently dragged to slaughter, or abandoned to die slowly
from neglect at stockyards across the country.  I urge you to do
everything possible to see that stockyards stop accepting and
selling downed animals by co-sponsoring bill

(H.R. 443 or S. 515), the Downed Animal Protection Act.

Thank you.

Send your letters to:






FOR INFORMATION ON FARM SANCTUARY'S MOST RECENT
CAMPAIGNS AND ACTION ALERTS,
PLEASE CONTACT:

FARM SANCTUARY
P.O. BOX 150
WATKINS GLEN, NY 14891
Phone: 607-583-2225   (in USA )
Website: http://www.farmsanctuary.org
====================================

  Thanks so much for your kindness, compassion and help