Study Shows Antibiotic Use in Livestock Will Increase

livestock

Between 2010 and 2030, the global consumption of antibiotics will increase by 67 percent, according to a new study called "Global trends in antimicrobial use in food animals," published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Chicken and pork production will be responsible for most of that increase.

By 2030, China and the United States will likely lead the world in animal antibiotic use, but countries like Myanmar, Indonesia, Nigeria, Peru and Vietnam will see the highest projected percentage increases. There, a growing middle class will be looking to add more meat to their diets, so, the study's authors predict, producers will be looking for ways to increase production as inexpensively as possible.

The scientists behind the study are concerned about the consequences. To better understand them, the authors call for, among other things, an international surveillance network of antibiotics in the livestock sector - and, eventually, the withdrawal of their use as growth promotants in all food animals.

In the U.S., there is some movement in that direction already. The Food and Drug Administration has asked drug and meat companies to stop feeding antibiotics to livestock for faster growth. That request is strictly voluntary, but it's the strongest action the FDA has yet taken. The agency has also asked the makers of antibiotics to rewrite their labels to prohibit such use of their products, and the drug makers have agreed to do that by the end of next year.