November 26, 2010

USDA wants better measures to reduce antibiotic use

The USDA needs to take more steps to strengthen measures to reduce the "overuse of antibiotics" in livestock production, according to a letter written by House Rules Committee Chair, Louise Slaughter.

Slaughter's letter said that she is pleased with USDA's response in August that it is considering an antibiotics module for certified large animal vets - its call for minimising antibiotic resistance transmission through the food chain through cooperative extension agents.

The USDA plans to create a united report and the formation of a working group on antibiotic resistance. Slaughter wants the USDA to expand its on-farm monitoring of antibiotic use and resistance as well as related research and veterinary training.

Slaughter said that this is a critical public health issue and competition issue for US livestock producers, adding that the EU, New Zealand, Thailand, and Korea have all banned or are starting to ban antibiotic growth promoters in animal feed. Slaughter's pending legislation would allow antibiotics only for sick animals and ban them for use in daily feed supplements.