Ohioans Sound Off on the Use of Antibiotics on Livestock
Mary Kuhlman, Managing Editor
Thursday, August 26, 2010
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohioans concerned about the abuse of antibiotics on livestock have an opportunity to speak up this week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking public comment on draft guidance regarding the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics on industrial farms. Animals that are not sick are often given doses of antibiotics to increase their growth and prevent disease, but experts say those drugs can end up in the water and food supply and lead to antibiotic-resistant infections in humans.
Vickie Askins, a Wood County resident and secretary of the Ohio Environmental Stewardship Alliance, says much like the recent salmonella outbreak in the nation's egg supply, this is a food-safety issue.
"We had MRSA, we've had staph infections. The livestock producers are using antibiotics just to promote this large-scale agricultural system, and they're putting all of us at risk."
Some are concerned that the FDA's new guidelines would not be a requirement and could even weaken current health and safety standards.
The director of environmental health with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, John McLeod, says while there is a role for the use of antibiotics in farm animals, without stronger regulations it can become a public health matter. And he says the guidance is a good first step by the FDA.
"They can help Congress and themselves develop rules around this so that we can slow the evolution of these bacteria and help us in our battle to prevent disease out in the community."
Meanwhile, Congress is considering the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, which would stop the routine use of seven classes of medically important antibiotics unless animals or herds are sick with disease or unless drug companies can prove that their use does not harm human health.
The draft guidance can be viewed at www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm217464.htm. Anyone interested in commenting can go to www.saveantibiotics.org.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…
Social Issues
Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …
Social Issues
Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …
Environment
New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…