From: mindy mackay [mindyr@mb.sympatico.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 6:26 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Downer Animals....98P-0151/CP1

"Downers" are animals, usually cows, who are too sick or injured to walk. Rather than put downers out of their misery by humanely euthanizing them, owners may use any means necessary to transport them to slaughter. This is because live animals sold for human consumption fetch a higher price than dead ones, who are sent to rendering. Downers are often handled abusively—kicked, dragged, or shocked with cattle prods.

Humaneness and Health By eliminating downed animals from the food supply, the U.S. government and the livestock industry can send an important message to the public about their commitment to the humane handling of animals and to the elimination of unnecessary food safety risks.
Considering the fact that only 0.1% of all livestock become downed animals, it is clear that the
economic loss caused by removing downers from the marketplace will be far outweighed by benefits of eliminating animal suffering and potential risks to human health.

The American public is looking to the USDA and the FDA to eliminate unnecessary food safety risks, protect animals from needless suffering, and ensure that the livestock industry's quality assurance programs are held to the highest standards. The HSUS strongly urges the USDA and the FDA to fulfill their responsibility to the public and prohibit the slaughter of downed animals

Please grant the petition to prohibit the slaughter of downed animals for food—docket number 98P-0151/CP1

-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.

-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, there are many reasons to stop this inhumane act, and the costs are not that high. make a difference, and make a good standing....tis all that I ask.

There is no great reason not to, but the lives of these animals, and possibly human lives could be saved as a result.

Someone has to make a difference, make things change...and you have the ability to do it.

Thank you,

Mindy R. MacKay