BILL TO RESTRICT ANTIBIOTICS IN LIVESTOCK SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

East County News Service

October 13, 2015 (Sacramento) – Governor Jerry Brown has signed the  nation’s strictest standard for use of antibiotics in livestock. 

The new law addresses concerns raised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which estimates 2 million people in the U.S. are infected with drug resistant bacteria,  and 23,000 die each year of these superbugs. Public health officials believe the overuse of antibiotics in cattle, pigs and other livestock in meat and dairy production endangers the public health.

The bill bans the routine use of antibiotics in feed to fatten up farm animals.  Antibiotics needed to treat an ill animal must be prescribed by a veterinarian under the new law.  Some major restaurants and retailers, such as Chipotle’s, McDonalds and Whole Foods, have already taken steps to stop buy products from sources that over-use antibiotics.