News
Coalition urges antibiotic restrictions
The Keep Antibiotics Working (KAW) coalition says more than 150 research scientists and physicians and 50 farmers and ranchers are calling for action to end the sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics in animal ag production.
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter says the practice is a major cause of dangerous antibiotic resistance in human and should be stopped. Slaughter told reporters Wednesday, “It’s been compared to putting antibiotics on your child’s cereal every morning in hopes to keep them well.”
Former FDA Commissioner Donald Kennedy says the Food and Drug Administration needs to take stronger action. Kennedy said,“It seems to me that unless this reaches the industry as a serious regulatory requirement it’s not likely to be taken as seriously. So, I would encourage FDA to move even beyond the voluntary program.”
Margaret Mellon, senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists says the problem is intertwined with the overuse of antibiotics in humans but she says the medical community is addressing that.
Dr. Mellon said, “They are taking steps within their community to try to limit prescriptions, to educate doctors. They recognize the gravity of the problem and they’re trying to do something about it. You know, by contrast, the animal agriculture community is still in denial.”
The legislative director for Representative Slaughter says they are optimistic that her bill to restrict antibiotic use in animal agriculture (PAMTA) will have a good chance for passage in the next Congress.
Missouri hog farmer, Russ Kremer says he became sick with an antibiotic resistant illness his pigs had after being gored by one of the animals in the days when his operation routinely used antibiotics. Kremer said, “My doctor agreed that I had the same antibiotic resistant disease that my pigs had and immediately put me in the hospital with an I.V. treatment.” Kremer, who now raises hogs without antibiotics, is former president of the Missouri Farmers Union.
Farmers and Ranchers Statement
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yep
Then maybe Congresswoman Slaughter, should buy all those animals they don’t want treated, and lose her own but, instead of the American Farmer.
It never fails to amaze me, on little thought and common sense go into some of these useless studies, that are only costing the lively hood of how we produce Americas food supply.