COMMENTS TO FDA by 2/12 re: SLAUGHTER OF DOWNED ANIMALS.

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Received from another list....

 

Please send the following comments to FDA. The PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

extends through February 12, 2001. For more info go to:

 

http://www.nodowners.org/

 

Please forward widely.

 

Public Comments due to USFDA by

February 12th

 

BACKGROUND: Last year, the USDA announced a landmark policy to stop

purchasing meat from downed cows for federal programs, including the

national school lunch program. The Agency stated,

   " The USDA will no longer accept ground beef that includes product

from non-ambulatory cattle, commonly known as " downers " . This

development shows a growing consensus- even among livestock industry and

government officials- that the marketing and slaughter of downed animals

is unacceptable. Our chances of stopping the downed animal trade are

better now than ever, and letters are needed to urge the Food and Drug

Administration to grant petition 98P-0151/CP1 to prohibit the slaughter

of downed animals.

 

Please send your comments to USFDA today and encourage others to do so

as well. This is YOUR chance to HELP CHANGE public policy to benefit the

animals.

 

SAMPLE COMMENTS: You MUST Reference " DOCKET NUMBER: 98P-0151/CP1 " in

your subject line.

Remember to add your name & address & forward widely.

===================================

 

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

 

With the increasing problem of contamination of our food sources and mad

cow disease, I request the FDA create and enforce regulations forbidding

the sale of sick and downed animals and mandate their prompt and humane

euthanization by a licensed DVM for the following reasons:

 

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.

 

Sincerely,