America’s public research universities are leading an initiative to address world hunger and malnutrition. The Challenge of Change Commission outlined seven challenges for public universities to address to help achieve global food and nutrition security. Food-system veterinarian Leah Dorman believes the responsible use of antibiotics in food production can be part of the solution.
The Food and Drug Administration releases animal antibiotic sales data annually. The report for 2016 shows decreases in two key categories: sales for livestock and poultry, and medically important antibiotics. Although the latest report shows a reduction, we need to focus on using antibiotics responsibly, which in agriculture means to use less while preserving the ability to responsibly use antibiotics when needed.
I am deeply troubled by the increasing call to eliminate the use of antibiotics to prevent disease in animals. As a veterinarian focused on the health of animals, I can say without question that if we lose the ability to use antibiotics for prevention purposes, more animals will die.