Source: MEATINGPLACE, 2/20/17

HumaneWatch, a project of the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom, released a video rebutting Humane Society of the United States CEO Wayne Pacelle’s assertions on antibiotic use in animal agriculture.

The video addresses Pacelle’s claim that overuse of antibiotics on farms is a public health menace, pointing to recent findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that show nearly one-third of antibiotics prescribed to humans are unnecessary.

A second study, by researchers at King’s College in London, found that about half of patients were inappropriately prescribed antibiotics by general practitioners, HumaneWatch noted.

The group said Pacelle’s statement that antibiotics are being given preventively on  farms is false, pointing out that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controls the use of antibiotics on farms, and the drugs can only be prescribed by a veterinarian for a specific illness.

When Pacelle says people are being exposed to antibiotic-resistant pathogens, HumaneWatch counters that FDA requires farmers to stop any medications to animals well before they go to market, so all meat eaten by consumers is antibiotic-free.
“HSUS and other vegan activists mistakenly advocate for a national ban on the preventive use of antibiotics for animals,” HumaneWatch said. “This policy is not in line with sound animal handling and welfare practices, and could lead to more animals getting sick and potentially spreading disease.”

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To view the video, click here.