From: Grace Van Vleck [gracevv@ddal.org]
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 2:57 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: RE: DOCKET NUMBER : 98P-0151/CP1 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Dockets Management Branch
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
FAX: 301-827-6870
E-mail: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov

RE: DOCKET NUMBER :   98P-0151/CP1

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in support of Farm Sanctuary's petition to ban the
slaughter of "downed" animals for human consumption. Please consider the
following points in favor of the petition:

1. Animals who are too sick or injured even to stand should not be
allowed to enter the human food chain.

2. 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).

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Grace Van Vleck
408 E. Bellefonte Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22301