Antibiotics measure introduced

Apr. 1, 2007 compiled by BEEF staff

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) introduced the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act. Her bill would: Phase out non-therapeutic use of medically important antibiotics in livestock, unless manufacturers can show they pose no danger to the public health. Require the same standard of new applications for approval of animal antibiotics. Provide federal payments to farmers to defray costs

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) introduced the “Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act.” Her bill would:

Phase out non-therapeutic use of medically important antibiotics in livestock, unless manufacturers can show they pose no danger to the public health.
Require the same standard of new applications for approval of animal antibiotics. • Provide federal payments to farmers to defray costs of switching to antibiotic-free production, with a preference to family farms.
Authorize grants for research and demonstration programs on reducing use of antibiotics in the raising of livestock.
Require manufacturers to report the amounts of antibiotics they supply for animal use, animals receiving them and the uses for which they're supplied.
Not restrict use of antibiotics to treat sick or non-food animals.

Similar legislation was introduced in the Senate by Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME).