Officials seek limits on livestock antibiotics

(Reuters) – Proposals to ban the use of antibiotics as a livestock growth promotant could drive up farmers costs without improving public health, skeptical lawmakers said on Wednesday.

Legislation to ban the decades-old practice is unlikely to pass this year, said sponsor Louise Slaughter, but her plan is to move further next year. The Food and Drug Administration recommended on June 28 that antibiotics be used only to prevent or treat livestock disease.

FDA made its recommendation in a first-round version of a “guidance” document, which states FDA’s current thinking. Guidance papers do not carry weight of law but generally are accepted by industry. Read more…