The rise of deadly drug-resistant diseases in the United States has triggered a growing response from state legislators in a particular area: Livestock regulation. This week, California became the first state to officially ban the use of human antibiotics in state livestock production — one of the lead contributors to drug-resistant pathogens. As a major agricultural leader, California’s historic move could create a ripple effect across the country, experts say. For instance, Oregon has a similar bill moving slowly through the state legislature, and advocates there say they want to “emulate” California.
Most major livestock producers use these antibacterial drugs to speed up animal growth, boost animal immune systems (to prevent the spread of diseases that are commonplace in their jam-packed, stressful living quarters), and treat diseases.
However, scientists have found that regular use of antibiotics meant for humans can kill off weak bacteria and create the ideal environment for antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria to multiply and thrive. This undermines the efficacy of the drugs, thus threatening the humans they were originally created to protect.
In a recent National Academy of Sciences study, researchers found that livestock consumed about 63,151 tons of antibiotics in 2010 — and estimated that number will increase by 67 percent by 2030.
Researchers found that livestock consumed about 63,151 tons of antibiotics in 2010.
California and Oregon aren’t the only states that have proposed antibiotic bans. In the past few years, six sates — Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New York — have unsuccessfully tried to pass similar restrictions in the past.
Many cities and legislators have called for intervention at the national level. Since 1999, Representative Louise Slaughter, a microbiologist, has co-sponsored the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, which would similarly ban the use of human antibiotics in livestock production. But it has yet to gain real momentum.
And in the private sector, an increasing number of chain restaurants — most recently, Subway — have announced their commitment to eradicate all antibiotic-treated meat from their menus.