http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=509&ncid=718&e=6&u=/ap/20030619/ap_on_bi_ge/mcdonald_s_antibiotics
With all the concern as to bio-weapons being voiced over the last couple of years, I have sometimes thought that, when we write the history of these times we may have to conclude that we have been fashioning some of the most deadly bioagents with a worldwide effort involving millions of workers, by failing to curb our use of antibiotics as feed for animals. When SARS first appeared, my first thought, from the way it seemed to appear and be covered by the press, was that it was a bioweapon. But I don't know where it came from. Perhaps it was simply a natural development and another possibility, raised in a news story some weeks after the first appearance, is that it may have arisen as a result of human over-use of anti-biotics. Dunno. I don't think we are over-concerned about the development of bioweapons. They're hideous, frightening and of legitimate concern, and I'm very glad to see them more discussed and more attempt being made to stop their development or use, even if some would argue the attempts are misdirected. At the same time, I think we have ignored this other related problem for far too long of the over-use of anti-biotics as feed for animals. I've said awhile back in this conference, and repeat here, that it is one of the most dangerous, if not *the* most dangerous, environmental problems on Earth. It is also one of the most needless problems, brought on by this bizarre and un-necessary practice. Haven't there been posts documenting that there are other affordable animal-raising practices which can lead to healthy animal growth which do not involve this lousy anti-biotics-as-feed practice? MM McDonald's Curbs Antibiotic Use in Meat 48 minutes ago Add Business - AP to My Yahoo! By DAVE CARPENTER, AP Business Writer CHICAGO - McDonald's Corp. said Thursday it is directing its meat suppliers worldwide to phase out the routine use of growth-promoting antibiotics in animals because of concerns that the practice lessens the drugs' effectiveness in humans. AP Photo Related Quotes TSN DJIA NASDAQ ^SPC 10.80 9179.53 1648.64 994.70 +0.05 -114.27 -28.50 -15.39 delayed 20 mins - disclaimer Quote Data provided by Reuters Missed Tech Tuesday? You can still check out our exclusive guide to getting a lot of digital camera for just a little cash - plus more. McDonald's is the first major fast-food chain to take such a step. The decision by the world's biggest restaurant company came after a year of consultations with environmental, science and consumer groups that had pushed for cutbacks. Those organizations hope the move by one of the largest meat buyers marks a turning point in the way U.S. farmers raise animals. The policy does not prohibit the use of antibiotics to treat sick livestock. It is aimed instead at antibiotics routinely given to animals to promote growth. McDonald's is telling its direct suppliers ÷ those that control all stages of animal production ÷ to phase out such antibiotics by the end of 2004. Direct suppliers provide most of McDonald's poultry and 20 percent of its meat. Direct suppliers will be checked periodically and will be asked to certify every year that they are complying. The Oak Brook, Ill.-based company also is offering incentives to indirect suppliers of beef and pork to follow the policy. Doctors are increasingly confronting germs that have become antibiotic-resistant. Many scientists believe that the overuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock is causing many drugs to lose their effectiveness by speeding up the rate at which bacteria become resistant. The animal drug industry, however, argues that using antibiotics on farm animals makes food safer. "As a company committed to social responsibility, we take seriously our obligation to understand the emerging science of antibiotic resistance and to work with our suppliers to foster real, tangible changes in our own supply community and hopefully beyond," said Frank Muschetto, a McDonald's senior vice president. "McDonald's is asking producers that supply over 2.5 billion pounds of chicken, beef and pork annually to take actions that will ultimately help protect public health." Environmental and consumer groups praised the company. "McDonald's new policy demonstrates that reducing antibiotic use is both feasible and affordable," said Gwen Ruta of Environmental Defense, which worked with the fast-food chain on the changes. Tyson Foods, a top direct supplier of poultry to McDonald's, also worked on the changes. "Along with McDonald's, we believe it is critical for our company and our industry to utilize antibiotics in a responsible manner, which preserves their long-term effectiveness in both human and veterinary medicine," said Archie Schaffer, a senior vice president of Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson. The Coalition for Animal Health, made up of trade groups representing the animal production, animal feed and animal health products industries, disputed the reasoning behind the new policy. It said disease rates have risen in Europe since the use of antibiotics as growth promoters was sharply lowered there. The Union for Concerned Scientists said McDonald's should have gone even further by addressing antibiotics used for disease prevention. According to the scientists' group, an estimated 70 percent of antibiotics and related drugs in the United States are given to healthy pigs, cows and chickens to promote growth and prevent disease. McDonald's stock fell 49 cents to close at $21.56 on the New York Stock Exchange (news - web sites). Last year, under pressure from animal rights groups, McDonald's started requiring its suppliers to adopt minimum standards for the way chickens are raised. It set a precedent followed elsewhere in the industry. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Wireless Video Surveillance http://us.click.yahoo.com/jWIEhC/90OGAA/ySSFAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
