Was anyone else surprised to see that the FDA will limit antibiotic use in livestock? They want antibiotics to be dispensed by vets and end the practice of using these drugs in feed.
The reason is for the rise of drug resistant infections which are causing a lot of concern in the medical community. I liked this interview.
I was glad to see this change but I'm wondering how this will play out. Either it won't have any effect at all.... or there will be some big changes in commercially grown livestock. I'm guessing that we will see prices rise or just more food production will be shipped out of this country.
There has been a lot of talk about "life after antibiotics" lately. A couple weeks ago we watched a PBS show on superbugs and I have to tell you - it was terrifying. I found the entire program here.
It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. It just kind of makes you wonder if we've waited too long to take action.
In the meantime I'm working on our meat strategy for next year. I think we will have 3 pigs. One for early harvesting and two for extremely late in the fall. We'll see what happens.
Happy Friday everyone - what are your thoughts on this? Do you think it will help?
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I have no problem with the factory farms not being allowed to use antibiotics for keeping their overcrowded livestock healthy and fatten them up. The problem is that the factory farms will find a way to get around this. It is the small farmer who only uses antibiotics when needed that will be affected. If every time your livestock gets sick, you have to go to the vet. That is going to cost more money. Especially when you know what is wrong and what you need to treat it. This will put small farms out of business and people who raise their own animals for meat and dairy will have a harder time treating their animals when they do get sick.
I fear that since it won't be "Mandatory" that the big meatcorps will state that they will stop using antibiotics unless necessary. And you know how "necessary" will mean only one thing to them; necessary to make the most money.
I also fear that even now with just the talk going on about it, that it will make it more difficult, if not totally impossible, for small farmers to get a hold of antibiotics for their livestock without going to a vet (i.e. $$$) and / or the prices rising drastically because of a self-imposed "shortage" of the meds by the corporations that make them. But as usual, if any law is passed, there will of course be loopholes for the Big Whigs to easily jump through while making it impossible for the small guy to get what he needs.
I think your government is going in the right direction as the antibiotics have no effect on the strains that are already resistant. It's also a great idea to have the vets administer the drugs as the have a better idea if antibiotics are needed.
Are antibiotics over used? Absolutely! But when needed, they are needed.
Wonder how this will play out? Will they pull all OTC antibiotics? I only resort to antibiotics in my herd if it's a last resort....But, when I need them, I need them and I don't wanna jump through hoops with uncooperative vets to get them...
I think good animal husbandry comes from the farmer. I don't think the government can pass a law to make that happen. Either they want to raise animals the best way they can, or they don't.
I would be concerned that animals raised in different countries would end up being cheaper. Then the demand for USA animals would fall.
All of the people I know use antibiotics responsibly. I have met a farmer who didn't use them correctly. But, there is a bad apple in every bunch. Can't fix it all.
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