Although there are many unanswered questions about the cause of antibiotic resistance, the animal health community recognizes that antibiotics must be used responsibly when treating animals to minimize agriculture’s contribution to antibiotic resistance.

A report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) sheds some light on the matter. The CDC identified the most concerning public health threats from antibiotic resistant bacteria. None of the most urgent threats have any relation to farm animals. On the broader CDC list, which includes less urgent threats, only two of 18 involve bacteria associated with farm animals.

It’s important to better understand the impacts of all uses of antibiotics on resistance so effective strategies can be developed to protect public health, food safety and animal well-being.