AHI Statement on Tyson Foods Antibiotic Policy

Washington, D.C. – Animal health companies are committed to implementation of the FDA judicious use policy requiring the elimination of growth promotion uses of medically important antibiotics and requiring veterinary supervision for all remaining uses.    As a result, these antibiotics will be used only to fight disease under the supervision of a veterinarian.  Along with a number of other FDA requirements and USDA monitoring programs, this ensures antibiotics can be used to protect both animal and human health.

The top priority of farmers and veterinarians is to raise healthy animals because the health of food animals contributes to a safe food supply.   Producers also have a vested interest in maintaining the effectiveness of antibiotics so they can protect the health of their animals.  The responsible use of FDA-approved veterinary medicines to treat, control and prevent disease contributes to both animal welfare and human health by providing important tools for producers and veterinarians to fight bacterial disease and keep food animals healthy.

Recent reports from FDA and CDC show it is possible to use antibiotics judiciously to keep food animals healthy without adding to the burden of human antibiotic resistance. While the CDC threat report of 2013 lists 18 major antibiotic resistance threats, only two – Salmonella and Campylobacter — have potential sources in agriculture. And the recent National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) report from FDA shows encouraging progress being made in decreasing resistance in those pathogens.

 

Media Contact: Ron Phillips: (202) 637-2440