Antibiotic-free meat retailers at House hearing

Producers of antibiotic-free meat and several retailers that buy it were invited to testify at a House Rules committee hearing today. Committee Chair Louise Slaughter of New York has legislation pending that would greatly reduce the amount of antibiotic use in food animals known as the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, or, PAMTA. Slaughter contends there is overuse of antibiotics in livestock and poultry production that is causing human resistance to antibiotics. Opponents say there is no scientific evidence to back that claim up.

On the list to testify are leaders with Chipotle Mexican Grill, Ozark Mountain Pork Cooperative, Niman Farms, Applegate Farms and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.