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Don’t be fooled by “voluntary” in FDA antibiotics proposal: Hurd
Story Date: 4/13/2012
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Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 4/12/12
Reaction to the Food and Drug Administration’s proposed voluntary initiative to reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock in order to curb antimicrobial resistance in humans was as varied as the players in this debate, but at least one animal agriculture expert warned it could be the death knell for using antibiotics to promote growth.
In a new blog titled “The Beginning of the End for Growth Promoting Antibiotics Today” Dr. Scott Hurd, D.V.M. and associate professor in the Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine Department at Iowa State University, said FDA’s latest action will have a big impact on animal agriculture.
“Please do not let the genteel approach of my professional FDA colleagues fool you. This action is big! It will result in the end of all antibiotic uses that are critically important to humans as well as those not labeled for the treatment or prevention of a specific animal pathogen or ‘bad bug’,” Hurd wrote.
He also warned that the impact on pork producers could be immediate. “Although Guidance 209 does not take effect for 3 years, most of the veterinarians I know in large pork production companies have already begun to comply. Additionally, I can assure you, the packers who buy that pork will make every effort to ensure compliance with FDA’s ‘voluntary guidance’ particularly through the producer’s Quality Assurance Program.”
NCBA saw a bullet dodged
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association expressed relief FDA did not come down harder on antibiotics use.
“NCBA is pleased that FDA has resisted unscientific calls to completely ban the use of antibiotics and antimicrobials in cattle and other livestock species. However, we remain concerned with regulatory actions that are not based on peer-reviewed science or that set the precedent to take animal care and health decisions out of the hands of veterinarians,” said Tom Talbot, chairman of NCBA’s Cattle Health and Well-Being Committee, in a statement.
Others cheered, pushed for more
The Center for Food Safety applauded FDA’s move, but also pushed for more.
“This is an important step in protecting the public from the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria,” said Paige Tomaselli, attorney for the Center for Food Safety. “But it’s high time that FDA takes drastic measures to eliminate all non-therapeutic uses of all antibiotics in food animal production.”
Similarly, Stephen McDonnell, founder and CEO of Applegate, the leading producer of natural and organic meats and cheeses, welcomed the news but expressed concern about industry compliance.
“The FDA has made a move in the right direction, but there’s a long way to go,” said McDonnell. “We know consumers want antibiotic misuse in animal agriculture to stop, and the recommendations issued today encourage the industry to do that, but fall well short of requiring it…The FDA’s recommendations use the word ‘should,’ but we all know that stopping the negligent use of antibiotics in animal agriculture is a ‘must,’ in order to save these important drugs to battle infections.”
For more stories, go to http://www.meatingplace.com/.
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