Antibiotics In Meat Ban Faces Bumpy Road To Congress
Posted on: Wednesday, 18 March 2009, 07:05 CDT
A U.S. representative announced on Tuesday that even though there is an increase in public support to prohibit antibiotics in animals, the legislation that would ban such practices might not go smoothly through Congress.
The bill, lead by Democrat Louise Slaughter of New York, would stop the use of antibiotics from being introduced to cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry unless animals are sickly.
Drug manufacturers could market the antibiotics for humane use if they can prove that public health would not be harmed from microbe emergent resistance.
"We're up against a pretty strong lobby. It will really come down to whether members of Congress want to protect their constituents or agribusiness," Slaughter stated to Reuters. "I do believe the chance are good, at least getting it through the House."
The bill has been around since the 1980s but has been stopped every time by agribusiness.
70 percent of all antibiotics put on the market in the United States are given to livestock that are healthy and do not need them, says a study conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Ban supporters feel that the antibiotics are given to counterweigh the unhygienic and congested living conditions, and are also given for weight gain, instead of fighting an illness.
Many worry that the overuse of antibiotics in animals creates antibiotic-resistant bacteria. After ingesting too much antibiotic-laced meat, people may be at risk of becoming sick from the animals that have an antibiotic-resistant illness.
Dave Warner, a spokesman with the National Pork Producers Council, denied the allegations.
Warner insists that 95 percent of antibiotics given to pigs are to care and treat diseases. If the bill is passed, Warner said animal deaths, producer costs, and the price of meat would climb.
"There is no question there is a rise in antibiotic resistant bacteria," Warner stated. "What is in big doubt is that the use of antibiotics in livestock has anything to do with that."
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc has dished up millions of pounds of meat from animals that were not given antibiotics or any growth hormones in an attempt to have better quality meats and vegetables for their customers.
"This commitment has been good for business," said Steve Ells, founder and co-CEO of Chipotle, who feels that having customers pay a little more money is worth the high quality products.
"It allows us to afford these better ingredients and customers have been willing to pay them," said Ells.
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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