earthjustice.org
65 Organizations Urge FDA to End Routine Antibiotic Use in Livestock Operations
Today, 65 organizations representing millions of Americans filed a rulemaking petition urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to withdraw approval for the unsafe use of antibiotics for disease prevention in food-producing animals. Every year, antibiotic-resistant bacteria contribute to approximately 35,000 deaths and 2.8 million illnesses in the U.S. — a public health crisis driven partly by livestock operations. Unnecessary use of antibiotics in animals breeds antibiotic-resistant bacteria and is transferable to humans in many ways, including through food, air, and water. [Read an executive summary and the full petition.] “For decades, pharmaceutical and meat corporations have prioritized profit and hidden the consequences of their practices on human health, animal welfare, and the environment. The FDA is obligated to ensure that drugs given to animals do not harm humans. Yet, despite overwhelming scientific evidence, the FDA has allowed this practice to continue,” said Peter Lehner, Managing Attorney, Earthjustice Sustainable Food and Farming. “Antibiotic use enables crowded livestock operations with poor hygiene. There are many farmers and ranchers that successfully raise livestock in better, safer, and cleaner environments — without the unnecessary use of antibiotics. We can’t continue risking the effectiveness of our medicines to boost industry profits.” Each year, 34...
