Friday, September 21, 2012

Pressure on antibiotic use mounts


More than 150 scientists are criticizing the U.S. government proposal to simply ask farmers to voluntarily be more responsible about using antibiotics.

They say medical doctors have done their part, but farmers have not, to reduce abuses of antibiotics that increase the incidence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

“While we support the effort to renounce drug approvals for injudicious uses, we cannot support a voluntary approach," they wrote.

"Too much is at risk to leave public health to the discretion of those whose financial interests run counter to the aim of reducing drug use. Moreover, the voluntary process could take more than five years and even then might not lead to meaningful drug use reduction.”

A group of 50 farmers and ranchers issued their own statement calling for an end to the use of antibiotics as growth promotants.

They said “we believe the imprudent use of antibiotics not only renders antibiotics less effective or ineffective for sick farm animals, it also threatens public health and the safety of our nation’s food supply.

“It is not only possible but actually economically viable to produce meat, dairy products, and eggs that are safe to eat without continually dosing animals with drugs they don’t need,” the farmers and ranchers wrote.