EU and U.S. Create Historic Trade Partnership for $50 Billion Organic IndustryFebruary 19th, 2012 - Jill Ettinger
An historic partnership connecting organic producers in the European Union and the United States will become effective June 1, 2012, according to an agreement reached between the world’s two largest organic producers earlier this week at the BioFach World Organic Fair—the world’s largest organic trade show and conference. Read More:EU and U.S. Create Historic Trade Partnership for $50 Billion Organic IndustryFDA Sets No Limit on Antibiotics Allowed in MeatDecember 27th, 2011 - Jill Ettinger
As concerns grow over the safety of consuming conventionally raised animal products, the FDA announced that it would withdraw a long-standing proposal that would essentially limit the amount of antibiotics allowed in livestock animal feed. Read More:FDA Sets No Limit on Antibiotics Allowed in MeatRise in Antibiotic Use Linked to Diabetes and ObesityAugust 25th, 2011 - Jill Ettinger
Americans are exposed to anywhere from 10 to 20 different types of antibiotics during childhood, which can reduce our resistance to the medications and decrease our ability to fight off certain antibiotic-resistant infections. This overexposure may also lead to our concurrent rise in obesity, diabetes, allergies and asthma according to new research published in the journal Nature. Read More:Rise in Antibiotic Use Linked to Diabetes and ObesityFDA Advises Livestock Producers to Limit Antibiotic UseJune 29th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a draft guidance on limiting the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals. By definition, organic meat and poultry are free of antibiotics, pesticides and hormones. The agency wants to ensure animals remain healthy, while decreasing human and animal resistance to these drugs—a growing public health hazard. Not surprisingly, meat industry representatives are unhappy with the recommendation. The National Pork Producers Council argues it will be “overly burdensome,” while claiming there’s no connection between nonorganic meat consumption and antibiotic resistance. (Try again, guys…) The FDA is inviting public comments on the draft guidance, so seize the opportunity to voice your concerns. Photo: Scott Bauer/USDA Read More:FDA Advises Livestock Producers to Limit Antibiotic UseAnimal Antibiotics, Are They a Threat to Human Health?February 15th, 2010 - Laura Klein
The incidences of drug resistance infections have literally sky rocketed in the past twenty years. Last year alone 65,000-70,000 Americans died as a result, more than prostate and breast cancer combined. 2Many are now asking questions about the safety of Big Ag and factory farms using common antibiotics to promote animal growth and fight off infections before they occur. According to Katie Couric’s report, there is evidence that MRSA has now been found in the nation’s meat supply. Because only a small fraction of meat has been tested, it is not clear just how widespread it may be. More and more reports are turning up like these. Which leads us to ask the same question Couric did to Liz Wagstrom, a veterinarian for the National Pork Bord, “Some people say giving animals antibiotics to prevent illness or promote growth is like putting antibiotics in a child’s cereal,” Couric said. “You know, save them so they’ll work when they are needed.” Wagstrom’s response, “I’d say we do strategically place them……It’s not an all day, every pig gets antibiotics every day of his life.” “So you don’t think they’re being overused by farmers anywhere in this country,” Couric asked. Many however are questioning whether this is true. ABC News did a report In December, ’09 entitled Pressure Rises To Stop Antibiotics in Agriculture. In 2009 three government agencies in charge of protecting human health, the Center for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, affirmed that drug-resistant diseases ensuing from overuse of antibiotics in animals is a “serious emerging concern.” Last summer, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, FDA deputy commissioner, told Congress that farmers need to stop feeding antibiotics to healthy farm animals. 1 http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-mrsa-methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus Pushing to Ban Non-Medical Antibiotic Use in Livestock…March 24th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
But now, new legislation hopes to ban the use of antibiotics in cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry that aren’t sick, due to fears surrounding the overuse of antibiotics and the rise antibiotic-resistant bacteria harmful to human health:
And recently the U.S. Department of Agriculture banned “downer” cows from the food supply. Downer cows are cattle to sick or weak to stand, but are still slaughtered for food, heightening worry over mad cow disease. Via Reuters. Big Agribusiness Dictating U.S. Food SafetyMarch 19th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
Where’s the social responsibility? What about compassion for the consumer? Clearly profits win out. Agribusiness is no different. The market for organic foods is growing. So big corporations like Monsanto rig the game, influencing food regulations and making it impossible for small independent farmers to operate:
Via OpEdNews.com. Read More:Big Agribusiness Dictating U.S. Food Safety |
