From: Alvaro Javier Suarez Visbal [rufian1@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2001 10:21 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket Number 

CUT OUT THE MARKET FOR `DOWNED ANIMALS':
"Downed animals" are cows, steer, pigs, and sheep who, because of grave
injuries or illness, are unable to stand or walk. Historically, the
livestock industry has treated these animals brutally: they are kicked,
beaten, and dragged all the way to the slaughterhouse to be killed and
rendered. Last year, in a landmark policy, the USDA announced: "USDA will no 
longer accept ground beef that includes product from
non-ambulatory cattle, commonly known as `downers,'" for Federal programs, 
including the National School Lunch Program.  Now, a petition has been filed 
with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to completely prohibit the 
slaughter of downed animals. By cutting out the market for downed animals, 
the livestock industry will have more of an incentive to treat animals 
humanely, euthanizing "downed animals" on-farm, and more importantly, 
preventing the injuries that cause "downed animals" in the first place.

The purpose of this message is to state my support to the Docket Number
98P-0151/CP1.


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