From: Dbixby Mailbox [dbixby@albc-usa.org]
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 10:21 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Fw: FDA PETITION

Greetings,
I am writing to encourage your consideration of a  petition (Docket #
98P-0151/CP1), currently before the Food and Drug Administration to
prohibit the slaughter of 'downed' animals. Downed animals
are those animals too sick or injured to stand. This petition stems from the
basis that animals too sick to even stand should not enter the human food
chain, due to the increased risk of bacterial contamination and other
diseases which make the resulting meat unwholesome.


Additionally, there is no humane way to move a downed animal; they are
typically dragged with chains, or lifted with a forklift, causing suffering
and further injuries.  At the same time, language for the humane disposal of
these animals must be included in regulations.

Downed animals comprise a  very small percentage of animals slaughtered,
and prohibiting their marketing would cause no undue economic hardship. In
fact, removing the market for downed animals would encourage better
treatment and handling, thus preventing most downers in the first place.

 There is growing consensus for such a prohibition, even among livestock
industry and government officials. The USDA has already instituted a policy
of refusing to accept meat from downed animals for the National School Lunch
Program, and numerous beef, dairy, and pork industry representatives have
voiced support for such a prohibition.

Sincerely yours,
Donald E. Bixby, DVM Executive Director
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
PO Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-5704 FAX (919) 545-0022
Invest in ALBC to help ensure the future functioning of agriculture.

dbixby@albc-usa.org
www.albc-usa.org