White Paper Addresses Use of Antibiotics in Food Animals

Antibiotic use in food-animal production is the focus of a white paper recently released by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA). The white paper is a summary of science-based information delivered by the 13 human health and animal health speakers and symposium participants at the "Antibiotic Use in Food Animals: A Dialogue for Common Purpose" symposium in Chicago, Oct. 26-27.

The white paper provides science-based information regarding the use of antibiotics in food-animal production, human health implications relative to antibiotic use and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in livestock. A significant portion of the paper addresses the controversial topic of antimicrobial resistance. Citing that antimicrobial resistance is not a black-and-white issue, the white paper notes that "the ultimate priority about antibiotic use going forward is the development of well-established, science-based criterion in the regulatory decision-making process."

The message to the livestock and poultry industries is plain and simple: Remain focused on disease prevention and continual improvement of good animal husbandry practices.

Individuals can access the white paper, as well as the symposium speakers' PowerPoint presentations with synchronized audio, online at www.animalagriculture.org. The white paper can also be obtained by calling NIAA at (719) 538-8843.

Reprinted in part from NIAA