Eliminating the routine use of antibiotics in livestock reduces human health risks without significantly harming animal health or farmers' incomes, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report released last week. The report adds to a growing momentum to end the use of antibiotics to promote growth in farm animals. The European Union (E.U.) has ordered member countries to end the controversial practice by 2006, and fast-food giant McDonald's is pressing its meat suppliers to cut back on antibiotics as well.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Dan Ferber (2003) studied this question.