Animal Health / Human Health Experts to Address Antibiotic Use in Food Animal Production

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Over the past several decades, significant progress has been made in battling animal and human diseases through the use of antibiotics and antimicrobials; however questions have been raised about the long term implication of using some of these tools.  There has been a significant amount of research done surrounding this issue and experts from both the human health and animal health arenas will come together in a forum in Chicago to discuss the most current research and information available.

The forum, hosted by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA), and titled Antibiotic Use in Food Animals: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose, is scheduled to be held October 26-27 at the Hotel InterContinental Chicago O'Hare and will feature panels that will examine the several areas surrounding how and why antibiotics are used both in humans and food animals.

"To bring the national discussion on the appropriate use of antimicrobials in food producing animals to an up-close and personal level with access to the latest facts surrounding this hot topic, we are gathering some of the nation’s most respected experts in one room,” said Dr. Annette Whiteford, Director of Animal Health and Food Safety Services in California and NIAA Vice Chair.  "I hope that anyone interested in moving the discussion surrounding the appropriate use of antimicrobials forward does everything possible to join us and learn about or contribute to the collective knowledge on this topic.”

The forum will specifically focus on the use of antibiotics in food animal production; human health implications relative to antibiotic use; understanding and communicating the risks associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in livestock; and identifying potential needs for additional research on how, and to what extent antimicrobial resistance develops in humans and animals.  Moderating the forum will be Dr. Scott Hurd,Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine and former Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety,USDA/Food Safety Inspection Service.

"Although this is a topic that has been widely discussed, and about which much has been communicated, not all of the facts have been fully covered," said Whiteford.  "The intent of the NIAA forum is to ensure all participants and the media gain a solid understanding of the many aspects of antibiotic use."     

Details and the agenda for the forum are available at www.animalagriculture.org.  The forum immediately follows the 2011 Food System Summit, hosted by the Center for Food Integrity, which is being held at the same venue.  Registration is open to anyone interested in this important issue.  The registration fee is $295, with discounts for early registration and for NIAA members.  In addition, a special forum rate for lodging at the InterContinental is available to attendees.

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