WPSU-PRCN (2008-06-27) State Representative Daylin Leach, a Montgomery County Democrat, wants to restrict the use of antibiotics to sick animals, in order to preserve the effectiveness of the drugs. But that position has gained opposition from Agribusiness.

Leach says giving antibiotics to healthy food animals contributes to the country's "superbug" problem: viruses and bacterial infections that are increasingly immune to such drugs. He says, "They seem to think it helps the animals to grow faster on less food. We thought it was the best approach to just address the issue directly and just say you can't give antibiotics unless the animal is sick -- unless there is a reason to."

Health officials have expressed concern about the increase in stubborn bacterial infections that have become difficult to treat with currently available drugs.

But Lori Connelly, the Communications Director for PennAg Industries Association, told Public Radio Capitol News that the antibiotics are, "a very useful tool for farmers and veterinarians to help control and prevent disease among food animals."

And, Connelly says, restricting the use of those drugs to animals that are sick, would ultimately have economic costs for both farmers and consumers.

"We are in an era of heightened food prices, and limiting this tool, we would see increases in disease and death among livestock. We would have to implement other precautions, and those costs would be passed along to consumers," Connelly said.

On the other side of the debate is Ellen Silbergeld of Johns Hopkins University. She says, "The major driver of drug-resistant pathogens in this country and worldwide is the indiscriminate and non-functional use in animal feeds. We've direct evidence of this."

With the General Assembly concentrating on Monday's budget deadline, Leach's proposal is unlikely to draw much attention now. But Agribusiness is Pennsylvania's largest industry, and capitol observers say the bill will attract many opponents in the state's powerful agricultural lobby.

<< BACK