From: Toni Junius [ToniJ@OrientalMotor.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 10:40 AM
To: 'fdadockets@oc.fda.gov'
Subject: 98P-0151/CP1

Good morning. I am taking the time to write a short note in support of
prohibiting the use of downed animals for food. 
Downers pose an increased risk for bacterial contamination. There is also
evidence that some downed animals may be afflicted with a form of BSE
(Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or "Mad Cow Disease"), a disease that has
been linked to a fatal human illness (CJD, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease). 
It is impossible to move downed animals humanely, they are hurt or abused in
order to get them transported to slaughter. What a horrible shame.
Industry experts have estimated that 90% 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.

Please consider the welfare of the animals and the safety of the public as
consumers in your petition to ban the slaughter of downed animals for food. 

Thank you for your consideration

Toni M. Junius
Oriental Motor USA Corporation
Customer Service manager
Ohio Sales Office