From: Drsteink@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 12:02 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: DOCKET NUMBER 98P-0151/CP1

The marketing of sick or injured animals, too weak to
stand or walk, for human consumption is unacceptable.

How do we know what has cause an animal to become a
"downer"? And yet that animal is allowed to become
food. With the concern over such fatal diseases such
as "mad cow disease", which is linked to CJD in humans
(Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease), should we be as careful
as possible?

It is impossible to move a sick or injured cow to
slaughter humanely. Current methods such as the use of
chains to drag them or forklifts causes broken bones,
bruises, broken necks and undue suffering.

According to industry experts, the vast majority of
animals who become "downers" can be prevented by more
humane handling of the animals. Removing the very
market of downed animals should encourage the industry
to implement more humane care of the living animals.

I emplore you to expand the USDA decision of not using "downers" 
for Federal programs sucn as the National School Lunch Program as the 
basis for a universal policy.


Denise Steinkerchner
5630 172nd Pl SW
Lynnwood, WA  98037