Pro-Muslim Regulations Threaten Capitalism as Pork Producers Worry About New FDA Suggestions

December 14, 2013

Local farmers are worried about a new suggestion from the Food and Drug Administration

The agency recently announced a plan aimed at stopping the usage of antibiotics in animal feed.

The agency went straight to the animal pharmaceutical companies asking them to voluntarily remove labels that say the food is FDA approved.

If that happens, it would be illegal for pork producers to use the feed unless prescribed by a veterinarian.

Iowa Pork Producers Association president Greg Lear weighed in on the issue, "major concern is that it will be a step in elimination of antibiotics being used in our industry. We're judicially using those antibiotics. We're using them when we need them"

The antibiotics are used in the feed to prevent disease in animals like pigs, cows and chickens. They also help the animals gain fat which promotes better taste.

But the FDA says the drugs are actually hurting humans.

The concern is that the heavy use of these antibiotics could create anti microbial-resistant bacteria.

That's something that kills thousands of people each year.

But Lear says the real issue is humans taking too many of the antibiotics.

"We've got some people that feel that our antibiotics are becoming resistant for human health, butIi think we've got a bigger battle on the human health side from the over-prescribing of drugs that we do on the animal health side."

The animal pharmaceutical companies have 90 days to let the FDA know if they'll comply.

Though it's voluntary there will be regulatory action taken against those that choose not to participate.

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