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Feed Industry Reaction and Implications¹

Ralston Purina Co., St. Louis, Missouri 63188 and Central Soya Co., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802

Abstract

The Antibiotic Task Force recommendations have been made, and proposed regulations for implementation of these have been issued by the Food and Drug Administration. Many questions remain to be answered before the full impact of the regulations can be determined. Feed manufacturers have responsibly served the needs of livestock and poultry producers by providing medicated feeds to aid in their production programs. As feed manufacturers and as citizens interested in the welfare of the public, we do not want to use or promote the use of products that do greater harm than good. At the same time, we prefer that decisions on products to be used be based on scientific information and objective good judgment. The Task Force raised the question of possible danger to public health from the use of antibiotics for animals. We have seen little more than conjecture that a real effect on human health exists as a result of approximately 20 years of antibiotic use in feeds. We do have an abundance of good and clear experimental evidence that the feed use of antibiotics improves animal performance. The magnitude of economic value to the animal producer can be debated because of the assumptions that are necessary, but there is little doubt that both the rate and efficiency of producing food are improved by the feed use of antibiotics. This question is vital to animal agriculture and to the consuming public. It deserves the continued input of animal and poultry scientists in all phases of the industries.

¹ Presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, July 31, 1972, as part of a Symposium on the FDA Task Force Report on Antibiotics. Co-sponsored by the American Society of Animal Science and the American Dairy Science Association.

² Division Vice President and Director, Chow Research, Ralston Purina Company, Checkerboard Square.

³ Vice President-Research, Central Soya Company.