| The U.S. is experiencing the largest beef recall in | | | | reckless not to prohibit the inclusion of the high risk |
| history. Major television networks and social websites | | | | materials enumerated above in pet food." |
| on the Internet have provided a hidden camera video | | | | On the opposing side to ban all SRM materials for use |
| provided by the Humane Society showing downer | | | | in pet food was Garth Merrick of Merrick Pet Foods. |
| cattle - animals that are sick or diseased and unable to | | | | From his letter to the FDA dated July 28, 2004" |
| stand - being prodded with fork lifts and beaten in | | | | ANPR's proposed rule to prohibit SRM's from all animal |
| attempts to move them to the slaughter area. If you | | | | food including pet food and prohibiting materials from |
| can stomach it, the link to the video is below. The video | | | | non ambulatory cattle and dead stock from all animal |
| is very difficult to view and alarming to know that any | | | | feed creates the below listed consequences of |
| meat processor would disregard the safety of U.S. | | | | disposal of pounds that previously could be |
| citizens and process diseased animals into human | | | | manufactured into animal feed. SRM's in cattle under |
| food. Pet owners should be aware that even though it | | | | 30 months of age have been estimated to be 20 |
| is illegal to process downer cattle into human food, it is | | | | pounds per head. In Texas there are four packing |
| legal and common to process these downer animals | | | | houses processing approximately 100,000 head per |
| into pet food. | | | | week times 20 pounds equals 2,000,000 times 52 |
| The FDA considers downed cattle SRMs - Specified | | | | weeks equals 104,000,000 of product that no one has |
| Risk Materials.SRMs are known risks to spread mad | | | | discussed what to do with. If you cannot render it for |
| cow disease and it is illegal for SRM animals to be | | | | feed to be fed to chickens, swine or pet food, then |
| processed into the human food chain as well as being | | | | you have destroyed a system that currently works. |
| processed into ruminant (cattle, sheep, pig) feed.It is | | | | We are the original recyclers. These numbers are only |
| however, legal and common practice to process SRM | | | | for Texas; when you consider the other lower 47 |
| animals into pet food.Sick and/or diseased cattle - | | | | states, the consequences are inconceivable as to |
| considered as a Specified Risk Material by the FDA | | | | what the health hazards could be if these products |
| are not destroyed (or illegally used in human food) they | | | | are not processed the way they are currently being |
| are legally processed into pet food.Mad cow disease | | | | done." |
| has already crossed species into cats in the UK and | | | | The FDA has not banned SRM materials from use in |
| mink worldwide.Are U.S. pets next? | | | | pet food or pet treats. |
| The FDA has considered changing existing regulations | | | | Do you think SRM materials - sick, diseased, or dying |
| - requiring that no SRM materials be allowed in any | | | | animals should be allowed to be processed into dog |
| food - human or pet. The proposal was approved by | | | | food or cat food? If you can stomach it, the Humane |
| some and opposed by others. | | | | Society's hidden camera video is a vivid example of |
| Approving the proposal to ban all SRM materials is the | | | | the health condition of SRM cattle. You can watch it at |
| Humane Society. The following is a quote from a letter | | | | Notice the downer cattle and then decide if you think |
| from the Humane Society to the FDA. "As the | | | | these animals would be suitable for use in any food. |
| country's largest animal protection organizationwe are | | | | Even if you are a non pet owner reading this article, I'm |
| deeply concerned about the potential impact of | | | | doubtful you would think sick, diseased, dying animals |
| transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) on | | | | are safe to feed pets.Personally if a livestock animal |
| animal health. The removal from animal feed of | | | | has been declared a Specified Risk Material - I don't |
| downers, dead stock (animals that have died on the | | | | care who has the expense of disposing of the |
| farm), cattle showing signs of a CNS disorder, and | | | | material - just don't use pet food as the 'disposal |
| cattle who appear rabies-suspect but test negative | | | | method'.Pet food becomes the profitable disposal |
| would add another important layer of protection since | | | | method.SRMs are sold to pet food manufacturers |
| these animals have a greater incidence of BSE than | | | | providing revenue for a product that is otherwise |
| the general population. There is strong evidence that | | | | un-sellable.Those pet food manufacturers that |
| cats are susceptible to BSE and we therefore urge | | | | purchase SRM materials obtain 'meat' at hugely |
| the FDA to prohibit immediately the use in pet food of | | | | discounted prices.By no means could SRMs be |
| any SRMs, downers, dead stock, or cattle showing | | | | profitable to the pet or the pet owner. |
| signs of a CNS disorder or testing negative for rabies. | | | | By products, meat and bone meal, meat meal, animal |
| There have been confirmed cases of Feline | | | | digest, and animal fat are all ingredients that could be |
| Spongiform Encephalopathy in approximately 100 cats | | | | processed SRM animals.Please read your pet food |
| in Europe. Since the FDA is charged with ensuring the | | | | and pet treat labels! |
| safety of the food cats consume, we feel it would be | | | | |