Antibiotic misuse is putting “human lives at unnecessary risk,” according to a document written by a group of medical doctors and researchers and published on the ‘Keep Antibiotics Working’ website.
Resistance to antibiotic drugs is a growing health crisis, fueled by widespread overuse of antibiotics in both agriculture and in human medicine, according to the scientists. However, the group says “the agricultural community is not keeping pace” with strides made in reducing antibiotic use.
The document alleges antibiotics are still routinely added in “enormous quantities” to livestock and poultry feed. Human illness linked to agricultural overuse of antibiotics include food poisoning caused by resistant Salmonella and Campylobacter, according to the scientists.
However, the document does not incorporate important animal health industry viewpoints and other pertinent information regarding the use of antibiotics in food animals. “For example, it does not cite the exhaustive regulations required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on antibiotic use in livestock or the new restrictions that will take place during the implementation of Guidance for Industry #213.” says Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).
The document fails to include statements by practicing veterinarians who work closely with livestock producers to ensure antibiotics are used judiciously in livestock and poultry production...
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http://www.porknetwork.com/e-newsletters/pork-daily/Scientists-say-agriculture-overuses-antibiotics-170738006.html
Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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