Source: USDA, 8/13/18

In the last two years, private companies and livestock producers have been faced with how to adapt to market and regulatory changes regarding the use of antibiotics in food animals. Consumers have indicated interest in food products from animals raised with few or no antibiotics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also implemented new rules regarding antibiotic use in food animal production.

Questions generated in this rapidly-changing landscape often touch on issues where information may be lacking, such as the economic costs and benefits, data collection and its use, potential public policies, and how to incentivize the development of new animal pharmaceutical products to which antibiotic resistance is less apt to develop.

The challenges and questions generated by this changing environment will be discussed by industry stakeholders, policy makers, academics and federal analysts at a workshop Sept. 6-7, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service (ERS) is organizing this workshop in collaboration with Farm Foundation. The workshop will take place at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

"Public and private decision making on policies and production may involve information on changing market conditions, the economic benefits and costs of changing antibiotic use, or how and how much use is made of antibiotics," says Stacy Sneeringer, ERS Research Economist. "But gathering and analyzing that information presents challenges, such as confidentiality, assessing differing production systems, and defining appropriate metrics. This workshop is an opportunity to advance discussions on these important issues."

A tentative agenda for the workshop is available. Presentations will include:

• New research on the economic aspects of changing antibiotic use on U.S. farms.
• Information on collection of data on the sale and use of antibiotics in U.S. food animal production.
• Changes in costs, practices and structures in the U.S. livestock sector and associated industries due to the recent FDA policy changes on antibiotic use in food animal production.
• Consumer demand for products raised without antibiotics and the associated price premiums.
• The challenges of supplying U.S. beef raised with fewer antibiotics.
• The potential applicability to animal pharma of incentive mechanisms used in human pharma.
• Analysis of ongoing efforts to collect data on antibiotic use in U.S. food animal production. 

There is no charge to participate in this workshop, however,  registration is required by close of business on Aug. 30, 2018.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stacy Sneeringer, ERS, 202-694-5504
Mary Thompson, Farm Foundation, 630-601-4152

USDA Economic Research Service: USDA's Economic Research Service's (ERS) mission is to anticipate trends and emerging issues in agriculture, food, the environment, and rural America, and to conduct high-quality, objective economic research to inform and enhance public and private decision making. ERS shapes its research program and products to serve those who routinely make or influence public policy and program decisions. Key clientele include White House and USDA policy officials; the U.S. Congress; program administrators/managers; other Federal agencies; State and local government officials; and organizations, including farm and industry groups interested in public policy issues.

Farm Foundation is an agricultural policy institute cultivating dynamic non-partisan collaboration to meet society's needs for food, fiber, feed and energy. Since 1933, the Farm Foundation has connected leaders in farming, business, academia, organizations and government through proactive, rigorous debate and objective issue analysis.