Late last week, California adopted some of the strictest
laws in the nation regarding overuse of antibiotics on farms.
laws in the nation regarding overuse of antibiotics on farms.
According to Vox.com,
“Gov. Jerry Brown signed
the toughest
restrictions yet on antibiotic use in the United States,
banning the state’s livestock producers from using certain antibiotics for
routine disease prevention and growth promotion.
“Gov. Jerry Brown signed
the toughest
restrictions yet on antibiotic use in the United States,
banning the state’s livestock producers from using certain antibiotics for
routine disease prevention and growth promotion.
With 80 percent of antibiotics in this country administered
to farmed animals, the risks posed to human health cannot be overstated. In
fact, by 2050, scientists estimate the death toll from drug-resistant infections
could rise from today’s 700,000 (a low estimate) to an astonishing 10 million
per year.
to farmed animals, the risks posed to human health cannot be overstated. In
fact, by 2050, scientists estimate the death toll from drug-resistant infections
could rise from today’s 700,000 (a low estimate) to an astonishing 10 million
per year.
In a statement, Governor Brown explains that “the overuse of
antibiotics in livestock has contributed to the spread of antibiotic resistance
and the undermining of decades of lifesaving advances in medicine.
antibiotics in livestock has contributed to the spread of antibiotic resistance
and the undermining of decades of lifesaving advances in medicine.
Certainly, treating sick animals is understandable and
necessary, but on many farms, antibiotics are fed to animals in low doses to promote
growth and keep them alive in filthy conditions that could otherwise kill them.
necessary, but on many farms, antibiotics are fed to animals in low doses to promote
growth and keep them alive in filthy conditions that could otherwise kill them.
While California’s move is certainly great news for the
future of lifesaving antibiotics, it
does nothing to improve the lives of the billions of farmed animals who are
suffering on today’s factory farms.
future of lifesaving antibiotics, it
does nothing to improve the lives of the billions of farmed animals who are
suffering on today’s factory farms.
See for yourself:
Abuses such as extreme confinement, mutilations without
painkillers, and merciless slaughter are all too common for animals raised for
meat, dairy, and eggs.
painkillers, and merciless slaughter are all too common for animals raised for
meat, dairy, and eggs.
The best thing compassionate people can do to protect their
own health and the lives of countless suffering farmed animals is to move
towards a vegan diet.
own health and the lives of countless suffering farmed animals is to move
towards a vegan diet.
Click here to
order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide.
order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide.
