The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is pleased that California Governor Jerry Brown this week vetoed legislation that would have curbed the use of antibiotics in farm animals. Cattlemen’s Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall says had the measure been approved it would have placed undue restrictions on a valuable tool used by producers. He says opponents attempt to spread misinformation didn’t work and the Governor saw through that.
Governor Brown says most major meat producers have already agreed to go beyond voluntary Food and Drug Administration standards. Woodall says a lot of the credit in getting the Governor to veto the bill comes from the state’s livestock groups who weighed in on the issue.
Had the measure passed it would have required veterinarians prescription for all animal antibiotics and would have made FDA standards on phasing out antibiotic use for growth promotion a state law.