California Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation he says will curb the use of antibiotics in livestock. The bill allows exemptions when a licensed veterinarian determines drugs are needed to treat a disease or infection or control the spread of the disease. South Dakota Pork Producers Council President Lester Moeller says having vets involved in the process as a positive move in ensuring consumers their meat is safe.
The California Governor said “ the science is clear that the overuse of antibiotics in livestock has contributed to the spread of antibiotic resistance”. Moeller says that statement is very far fetched and not true.
Moeller says the majority of pork producers use antibiotics responsibly.
The California law takes effect in 2018 and also eliminates the availability of livestock antibiotics for over the counter sales.