New York Times
After issuing "a draft guidance" in July 2010 in hopes that the livestock industry would take voluntary action, The Obama Administration and the FDA have wised up and are now restricting the use of a critical class of antibiotics in cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys because such practices may have contributed to the growing threat of bacterial infections in people that are resistant to treatment.
The medicines belong to a class of antibiotics known as cephalosporins and include such brands as Cefzil and Keflex. They are among the most common antibiotics prescribed to treat strep throat, bronchitis, skin infections and urinary tract infections. Surgeons also often use them before surgery to prevent bacterial infections.
The drugs’ use in agriculture has, according to many microbiologists, led to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the drugs’ effects, a development that many doctors say has endangered the lives of patients.
Antibiotics are often added to animal feed and are used routinely to encourage rapid growth of livestock, but officials at the Food and Drug Administration have been increasingly vocal in their concerns that overuse of antibiotics in agriculture is endangering human health.
In fact, 80% of all antibiotics in US are given to well animals! This is very good news today as it should require the livestock industry especially factory farms, to improve conditions for livestock on factory farms as the antibiotics have been used to prevent animals from getting sick due to extremely close confinement and poor treatment.
This is a great start but isn't enough to break the cycle of over-production and consumption of animals which has left the US with an unsustainable agriculture model. A system which has contributed to a national chronic disease crisis and has been a major contributor to global climate change.
But, I don't want to take away from what is a very strong action by a Federal agency that is underfunded and understaffed. Looks like the Obama Administration has been pouring on the Good News today so let's enjoy the moment.
UPDATE: Looks like I picked up this article too soon and the NYT's
has rewritten it. Damn I'm fast. Here is new quote from their update:
The F.D.A. has yet to make final a guideline proposed in 2010 that would edge the agency closer to banning uses of penicillin and tetracycline in feed and water for the sole purpose of promoting the growth of animals or preventing illness that results from unsanitary living conditions. This issue has generated intense controversy among farmers and ranchers who contend that public health officials have exaggerated the danger of agricultural uses of antibiotics to humans.
Still good news they are just clarifying with more information as to which antibiotics have been banned.