ANTIBIOTICS AND ANIMALS

The article by David Aaronovitch entitled War on the Superbug (YOU, 31 August) makes a contribution to creating awareness that antibiotics should be used responsibly and appropriately.

However, the article disappoints with some erroneous and unsubstantiated statements. It also doesn’t inform readers how antibiotics are used in animal husbandry, how these medicines are regulated in South Africa and the initiatives taken in collaboration with the human health professions to apply antibiotic stewardship principles.

The author stated that, “We need to stop feeding them to farm animals in any but the most pressing circumstances, and for us consumers that means boycotting meats produced using antibiotics.” This is a sweeping generality that ignores the fact that a total ban of antibiotic use in food-producing animals would have adverse consequences for animal welfare and food security.

Food-producing animals are equally susceptible to bacterial infections, and vets and para-veterinary professionals have an ethical duty to look after the welfare of animals under their care. Vets who work in the intensive production animal industries practise population medicine. These production farms are dynamic, sensitive units that require immediate action to safeguard the animals and prevent the spread of disease, and that may include the use of antibiotics.

The public don’t have to boycott meat from farms where antibiotics are used. The welfare of consumers with respect to antibiotic residues in animal products are addressed by legislation that set strict withdrawal periods following antibiotic therapy that must be applied before animals may be sent for slaughter, and residue testing is an industry-driven action with adverse consequences for farmers when residues are detected.