From: Linda Gentille [linda@pianoprincess.com] Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2000 6:36 PM To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov Subject: Re: Docket Number 98P-0151/CP1" Importance: High Dec. 25, 2000 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Dockets Management Branch 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061 Rockville, MD 20852 fax: (301) 827-6870 e-mail: Re: Docket Number 98P-0151/CP1" Dear Sirs/Madam: I am writing to urge you to GRANT PETITION 98P-0151/CP1, the "Downed Animal Protection Act." This legislation would prohibit any stockyard or market buyer to buy, sell, transfer or drag any animal that is unable to stand on his or her own. The legislation further requires that all "downed" animals be humanely euthanized. The livestock industry has attempted to prevent the marketing of downed animals through volunteer measures but unfortunately, the problem persists. State laws that address animal cruelty most often do not cover livestock and the Packers and Stockyards Act, which governs the handling of animals at stockyards, does not address humane concerns. Cows, pigs, goats and other animals who are too sick or disabled to even stand on their own are left to suffer, sometimes for days, with no veterinary attention. * Animals who are too sick or injured to stand should not be allowed to be slaughtered for human consumption. * The use of downed animals in meat production poses an increased health risk to the consumer from bacterial contamination and disease. * Downed animals cannot be moved humanely, and they are typically pushed with tractors or dragged with chains - resulting in injuries from bruises and abrasions, to broken bones and torn ligaments .* Prohibiting the marketing of downed animals will cause no undue economic hardship. * 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.nk you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing what action you plan to take on this issue. Thank you for your time. Yours Truly. Linda Gentille and Jan Knepper 88 Route 610 petersburg, NJ, 08270 -- =============================================================== Linda Gentille Cape May, NJ U.S.A. YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Listen to our theme song at: http://www.mp3.com/pianoprincess Many of my e-mail's I reformat in seconds with: "Linda's E-mail Formatting Program" Download it for free from: http://www.smartsoft.cc/Site/Download.html Care about animals? Subscribe to Animal Guardian Angels today! http://www.onelist.com/community/AnimalGuardianAngels ===============================================================