From: Mikefwmi@aol.com
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001 2:59 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket # 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. 

This petition OBVIOUSLY deserves your support, which as a taxpayer, is what I 
expect you to do immediately. 

Michael Fenton 
5749 NE 62nd Street 
Seattle, WA  98115