The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued draft guidance on the use of antibiotics in livestock in an attempt to prevent the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as E.coli, campylobacter, and salmonella.

The FDA stated that antibiotics should be used only when necessary for animal health and the practice be supervised by veterinary.

Antibiotics are commonly added to the feed of conventionally raised food-producing animals to encourage faster growth and prevent disease from spreading. The rampant use of antibiotics in livestock led to the creation of resistant, super strains of bacteria.

Authorities estimate that 70% of the pharmaceuticals consumed in America is given to healthy livestock and poultry.
Under Obama administration, FDA has received a significant increase in funding and has begun to initiate the banning of antibiotic use in US livestock. The practice is already banned in several European countries.

National Pork Producers Council and other farming interest said that more evidence is required to link antibiotics use in food animal production and antibiotic resistance, in the council press release.

On the other side, public health groups think FDA’s actions were timid. Rep. Henry Waxman, Chairman of Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health commented on the draft guidance by FDA, “This is a good first step… But we must do more to tackle this piece of antibiotic resistance puzzle. And we must do so as part of a comprehensive strategy designed to safeguard the vitally important public health tool that is our antibiotics.”