From: Carie Perkins [carieperkins@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001 9:12 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: support of Docket Number 98P-0151/CP1

I am writing in support of Docket Number  98P-0151/CP1. "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.
These are living, breathing, feeling creatures that are raised to be killed, 
unfortunately inhumanely.  The least we can do as a society is relieve some 
of their suffering.  Like Gahndi said, "a society should be judged on how 
they treat their animals."  In light if that, the US should be ashamed of 
itself.  Thank you for your time.
Carie Perkins

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