From: JVNA JewishVeg [jewishveg@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2004 3:43 PM
To: Dockets, FDA
Subject: 1996P-0418, 1997P-0197, 1998P-0203, and 2000N-050 and RIN
number 0910-AC14

December 19, 2004

On behalf of JVNA and our members across the United States, I urge The Food 
and Drug Administration to include a ban on forced molting as part of their 
requirements for egg producers. The JVNA position is based on Jewish 
teachings; however, one need not be Jewish to appreciate their significance, 
as they speak to values shared by all religions and peoples.

Judaism opposes causing unnecessary suffering to animals, known as tsa'ar 
ba'alei chayim. The Bible tells us explicitly, “The righteous man regardeth 
the life of his animal.” (Proverbs 12:10) The Code of Jewish Law states, “It 
is forbidden, according to the law of the Torah, to inflict pain upon any 
living creature. On the contrary, it is our duty to relieve pain of any 
creature, even if it is ownerless.” The Talmud states, “Great importance is 
attached to the humane treatment of animals, so much so that it is declared 
to be as fundamental as human righteousness.”

Judaism goes further, specifically condemning the starving of animals, and 
therefore forced molting. The Talmud teaches, “A person should not eat or 
drink before first providing for his animals.” Indeed, so much gravity is 
attached to this mandate, that we may interrupt the performance of a 
rabbinic commandment to ensure animals are fed.

Forced molting is a clear violation of Jewish moral law. However, the 
ethical principle behind such law extends not only to Jews. The many 
Biblical pronouncements against cruelty to animals should speak to anyone of 
faith. And compassion for the suffering of hens that starve for long period, 
many of whom die as a result, should speak to anyone with human decency.

Please follow the precedent already set by other countries and put a stop to 
forced molting.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Richard Schwartz, Ph.D.
President
Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA)
6938 Reliance Road
Federalsburg, MD 21632
JewishVeg.com
mail@jewishveg.com

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