Food animal antibiotics bill introduced

A bill introduced in the House of Representatives would require the FDA to withdraw the sub-theraputic use of seven classes of antibiotics in food animals.

The bill was introduced by Representative Louise Slaughter of New York.  She claims that giving antibiotics to animals for sub-theraputic purposes had led to an increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria in humans.  However, Iowa Representative Steve King, who represents the largest pork producing congressional district in the U.S., says disease prevention is necessary to prevent potentially debilitating illnesses from affecting livestock. 

A coalition of 20 livestock organizations is opposing the bill, which they say will cause increased animal disease and death.

Trackbacks

  1. [...] “Renewed pressure is on from Capitol Hill from Slaughter’s bill and new rules discussed in regulatory agencies. There is also pressure from trade issues: The European Union and other developed countries have adopted strong limits against antibiotics. Russia recently banned pork imports from two U.S. plants after detecting levels of tetracycline that the USDA said met American standards.” [...]

  2. [...] Ken Anderson reported earlier this week at Brownfield that, “A bill introduced in the House of Representatives would require the FDA to withdraw the sub-therapeutic use of seven classes of antibiotics in food animals. [...]

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