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Sec. Vilsack – antibiotic resistance is complicated

A White House sponsored Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship brought together a wide ranging group to talk about efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack compares the antibiotic resistance issue to agriculture, saying both are important, complicated and often misunderstood. During the opening session the Secretary talked about the role USDA has in the 5 areas included in the national antibiotic resistance action plan, including the need to better understand the process. 

“What is the process in terms of animal health and how does it transfer and impact human health,” Vilsack said. “That’s why it is important for us to continue focusing on research, an assessment and prioritization of that research and making sure we inform producers in this country of the best management practices that will allow us to reduce the potential for this resistance.” 

The Secretary said USDA has suggested a quadrupling of research dollars to focus on the antibiotic resistance issue.

Audio: USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, speaking at the White House Antibiotic Stewardship Forum