The overuse of antibiotics in both human medicine and animal agriculture contributes to the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections in humans that are costly and difficult to treat. Moreover, the burden of antibiotic resistance is borne by the most vulnerable in our society: children, the elderly, and those with already weakened immune systems, such as people undergoing chemotherapy or persons with HIV/AIDS. Within two years of enactment, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA) would phase out the feeding to food animals massive quantities of antibiotics important in human medicine. Livestock and poultry producers use these human medicines in the feed of animals that are not sick to accelerate animal growth and prevent diseases caused by overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions on industrial-style “factory farms.” An estimated 70 percent of antibiotics and related drugs produced in this country—nearly 25 million pounds per year—are used in animal agriculture for these nontherapeutic purposes. This amount is estimated to be more than eight times the amount of drugs used to treat human illness. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of the problem of antibiotic resistance due to overuse in animal agriculture, but the agency’s process for withdrawing drugs from the market is simply too slow and cumbersome. A recent effort to withdraw a drug from use by poultry producers due to concerns about human antibiotic resistance dragged on for over 5 years, costing millions of taxpayer dollars. And while these deliberations drag on, bacteria are constantly mutating to outsmart our important antibiotics faster than new drugs are developed. While some producers and retailers of meat products have announced policies that take steps to curb antibiotic use, private-sector initiatives to reduce antibiotic use in animal agriculture are rare, limited in scope, and difficult to verify. Federal action is needed to achieve comprehensive reductions and create a level playing field for all producers and retailers. Passage of PAMTA is critical to keep antibiotics working for human health. In addition to averting the harmful effects of antibiotic overuse on human health, curtailing animal use of antibiotics will encourage producers to raise animals in better living conditions that are less conducive to disease. The American Medical Association and more than 350 other health, consumer, environmental, agricultural, and humane organizations support this legislation. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) has long championed efforts to pass this legislation, and does so now from his position as chair of the Senate health committee. Senator Kennedy is joined by a bipartisan group of senators including Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Jack Reed (D-RI) in support of PAMTA. In the House, Rules Committee Chair Louise Slaughter is leading the fight to pass PAMTA. Senator Kennedy and Congresswoman Slaughter need the support of their colleagues in Congress to make passage of PAMTA a reality this year. Your voice is needed to build support for this critical legislation. Please write to your members of Congress and urge them to cosponsor the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act! The following representatives and senators are cosponsoring the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (H.R. 962/S. 549): Senators Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] Representatives * Lead sponsor |
