Animal ag groups commit to responsible antibiotic use

More than 150 shareholders in the veterinary health, human health and animal agriculture industries joined the Obama administration for the White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship on June 2 to express their commitment to the responsible use of antibiotics.
The United States government departments and agencies, along with the involved human and animal health stakeholders, are committing to implement changes over the next five years to a create meaningful impact on antibiotic stewardship, slow the emergence of resistant bacteria, and prevent the spread of resistant infections. 
The goal of the forum was to exchange ideas on ways public and private sector stakeholders can collaborate to improve responsible antibiotic use and to discuss opportunities for further improvement. 
Many of the participants, including Elanco Animal Health and Foster Farms, revealed their antibiotic stewardship plans in conjunction with the forum.
Actively participating in the forum were the following animal agriculture-related companies and organizations:
Veterinary and animal health companies and organizations: Elanco Animal Health, Merck Animal Health, Zoetis, American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Avian Pathologists, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Federation of Animal Science Societies, National Association for the Advancement of Animal Science, American Animal Hospital Association, and Animal Health Institute
Poultry and livestock organizations: National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and National Milk Producers Federation, North American Meat Institute
Animal protein companies and retailers: Foster Farms, Cargill, Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, Bell & Evans, Costco, McDonald’s, Panera Bread
Animal feed industry organizations: National Grain and Feed Association and American Feed Industry Association