http://www.porkmag.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=2194

Outlining Antimicrobial Issues
By Pork staff (Monday, September 29, 2003)


The antimicrobial controversy for the food animal industry isn't going
way. This was demonstrated by the strong turnout at the American Dairy
Science Association's seventh annual Discover conference for food animal
agriculture, "Is there a future for antibiotics in animal agriculture?"

A diverse group of 123 agricultural industry experts from 11 different
countries combined for presentations and discussions, while coming away
learning more about top areas of concern:

The food animal industry needs to agree on a standard set of definitions
and have all industries.pork, beef, dairy and poultry use this list. Of
particular concern is defining what is considered to be an antibiotic
versus an antimicrobial.
The food animal industry needs to be proactive instead of reactive about
the way antimicrobials are used in animal production as well as why they
are used.
The way producers are using antimicrobials is changing and will continue
to change as more information is obtained concerning the development and
dissemination of resistance in bacteria. It may not come tomorrow, but
producers won't have free reign any more.
The U.S. regulatory process makes it difficult to develop and market new
antibiotics.
The industry needs to continue and increase its transparency with
consumers about the use of antimicrobials in food animal production.
Retailers will continue to demand traceability for meat products. This
will present challenges for the industry as these programs are
developed.

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