From: Craig Minowa-EcoSource [lakes@cpinternet.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 3:16 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Please grant the petition 98P-0151/CP1

Please grant the petition 98P-0151/CP1 to prohibit the slaughter of
downed animals.  Animals who are too sick or injured even to stand
should not be allowed to
enter the human food chain.

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).

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.

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

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.

Please grant the petition 98P-0151/CP1 to prohibit the slaughter of
downed animals.


Sincerely,

Craig Minowa- Environmental Association for Great Lakes Education


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Craig Minowa
Environmental Association for Great Lakes Education (EAGLE)
http://EAGLEInfo.tsx.org
394 Lake Avenue South, Suite #308
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 726-1828
lakes@cpinternet.com

EAGLE Projects:
-EcoSource   http://EcoSource.tsx.org/
-Great Lakes Women's Leadership Network   http://GLWLN.tsx.org
-Healthy and eco-friendly lawns   http://safelawns.tsx.org/
-Lake Superior Event Planning Services   http://EventPlanning.tsx.org
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