By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. (IPPA) issued a letter late last week to mainstream media outlets defending the use of antibiotics in the livestock industry.

The letter was circulated to nearly every major Illinois newspaper and to selected national television media, including the CBS network, which will broadcast a two-part report on antibiotics and livestock this week during the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
The letter addresses increased public attention surrounding the use of antibiotics by farmers and the potential impact on public health. Pork producers are committed to open discussions regarding the industry’s approach to animal care and food safety, while also embracing an ethical obligation to the care and well-being of animals, the letter states.

“Overall, the letter talks about how pork producers are committed to producing safe food, and their ethical obligation to the well-being of their animals,” said Tim Maiers, director of public relations for the IPPA. “Protecting animal health helps protect our food supply. When we’re caring for our animals by giving them antibiotics as prescribed by a veterinarian, it is to keep the animal healthy. A healthy animal means a safer pork chop.”

Overuse of antibiotics in livestock is something producers definitely try to avoid, said Maiers.

The letter also pointed out that human antibiotics seem to be less regulated than animal antibiotics.

“It’s interesting that there is no public data available on the amount of antibiotics used in humans, but companies that make antibiotics for animals must report to FDA annually the amount they produce and the amount consumed. Animal antibiotics are definitely (subject) to more FDA regulations than are human antibiotics,” said Maiers.

The IPPA defended the use of antibiotics in their letter by pointing out that farmers work closely with veterinarians to create animal health management programs to ensure the health of their stock and prevent diseases before they develop. Health management plans are customized for each farm to include barn hygiene and ventilation plans, parasite control, diet and the administration of medicines, the IPPA stated.

“Antibiotics are an important tool to keep our animals healthy and our food supply safe,” the letter read, in part. “For more than 50 years, antibiotics have helped protect our food supply and improve animal health and welfare. Just like humans, animals get sick and require treatment to improve. New studies show animals with sickness through the course of their lives have higher incidences of food-borne pathogens on their carcasses. By maintaining the health of our animals, we are providing a safer, more wholesome product for consumers.” 

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine approves antibiotics for disease treatment, disease control, disease prevention and nutritional efficiency for food animals.

The letter was signed by Maiers and Phil Borgic, a pork producer from Montgomery County and IPPA president.