USDA, U.S. Pork Producers, Slam WHO Guidelines On Antibiotics Use

The World Health Organization says that reductions in the use of antibiotics in food animals would reduce antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the meat production chain by as much as 39 percent. WHO recently published guidelines that proposed ending the use of antibiotics in food animals for disease prevention and growth promotion. Specifically, the organization proposed complete restriction of use of all classes of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals for prevention of infectious diseases that have not yet been clinically diagnosed. USDA acting chief scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young said the new guidelines “are not in alignment with U.S. policy and are not supported by sound science.” The National Pork Producers Council also expressed strong disagreement with WHO’s guidelines.