From: Lilwiccan@att.net
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2001 3:40 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket Number 98P-0151/CP1

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please prohibit the slaughter of downed animals for food!

Downed animals, animals who are too sick or injured even 
to stand, are being marketed and slaughtered for human 
food, causing intolerable animal suffering and 
threatening human health.

Downed animals suffer for hours or days without 
receiving food, water, or veterinary care, and many are 
left to die of neglect.

When downed animals are moved, they are commonly dragged 
with chains or pushed with tractors or forklifts - 
painful procedures which cause injuries ranging from 
bruises and abrasions to broken bones and torn ligaments.

In addition to causing animal suffering, using downed 
animals for human food raises serious health concerns.  
Besides the risk of bacterial contamination, there is 
evidence that some downed animals may be afflicted iwth 
a form of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or "Mad 
Cow Disease"), a disease which has been linked to human 
fatalities.

Last year, the USDA announced a landmark policy to stop 
purchasing meat from downed cows for Federal food 
programs, including the National School Lunch Program.  
This important development shows a growing consensus - 
that the marketing and slaughter of downed animals is 
unacceptable.  Please continue in this manner, and stop 
the downed animal trade and grant petition 98P-0151/CP1!

Sincerely,

Monica Lucas
1517 "B" Balboa Avenue
Burlingame, CA  94010