Right now, it is routine practice in many large livestock operations to feed animals low doses of antibiotics over long periods of time in order to boost growth rates or counteract the effects of unhygienic living conditions.  Critical human drugs like penicillin and tetracycline are widely available for animal producers to purchase online or in feed supply stores without a prescription. This contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted to humans through water, soil, animal contact, or on the food we eat.

SB 416 would not only prohibit livestock and poultry producers from feeding important human antibiotics to healthy animals, but it requires state and local governments purchasing meat and poultry to favor products produced without nontherapeutic antibiotics.  The bill also instructs school districts to report if they know that they are serving meat from livestock operations that use the practice. 

S.B.416 has passed out of two committees and is headed to the Senate floor.  We need your help!  Can you let your state Senator know that you want a YES vote on S.B.416?

The link between non-therapeutic antibiotic use and human health threats has led prominent medical authorities – including the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the Institute of Medicine, and the Pew Commission – to call for a ban on the practice in livestock and poultry production.

It is time for California to lead the nation in implementing these recommendations.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

State Capitol California State Senate Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: S.B.416 - SUPPORT

Dear Senator:

As your constituent and a supporter of the Center for Food Safety, I'm writing to ask you to vote in favor of S.B.416, which bans the practice of feeding important human antibiotics to healthy livestock and poultry in California.

It is routine practice in many large livestock operations to feed animals low doses of antibiotics over long periods of time in order to boost growth rates or counteract the effects of unhygienic living conditions. Critical human drugs like penicillin and tetracycline are widely available for animal producers to purchase online or in feed supply stores without a prescription.

I am extremely concerned about the human health impact of this practice. It contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted to humans through water, soil, animal contact, or on the food we eat. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to antibiotic-resistant strains of food borne illness.

The link between non-therapeutic antibiotic use and human health threats has led prominent medical authorities - including the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the Institute of Medicine, and the Pew Commission - to call for a ban on the practice in livestock and poultry production. It is time for California to lead the nation in implementing these recommendations.

California consumers want a safe food supply, and I believe S.B.416 will protect California consumers, the environment, and the efficacy of our antibiotic supply by eliminating the practice of using human antibiotics non-therapeutically on California livestock and poultry operations. I urge you to support S.B.416.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 27, 2009