Antimicrobial Resistance and Agriculture from a Producer's Perspective
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Health Management Practices
- Researching Beef's Contribution to the AMR
Issue
- The Trade Side of the Antimicrobial Resistance
Issue
- Conclusion
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is an issue that all food producers have
to be watching carefully. Consumer confidence in the food we produce
is critical if we are going to maintain our markets. My goal, as a
beef producer, is to produce a high quality, economical product that
consumers want to buy. To do that I have to use a wide range of management
tools including proper marketing, providing a good environment for
my cattle, feeding a balanced ration, and having a good herd health
program. Some of the tools that I use to maintain herd health are
antibiotics. I use antibiotics sparingly and only when necessary.
By staying up to date in health management practices, practicing preventative
medicine, working closely with a veterinarian, and maintaining the
proper environment, the use of antibiotics can be minimized. The Canadian
beef industry is financially supporting research projects on antimicrobial
resistance. These projects will clarify if beef production practices
contribute to the antimicrobial problem. If there is a problem the
beef industry will change. However, we hope if change is necessary
it is based on science and not public perception and emotion.
Introduction
Antimicrobial resistance is an issue that all food producers have
to be watching carefully. Consumer confidence in the food we produce
is critical if we are going to maintain our markets. Anything that
shakes that confidence, whether it is based of facts or innuendoes
can have a dramatic and devastating effect on primary producers. One
only has to look at what happened in the United Kingdom or Belgium
to see how a lack of confidence in the safety of food can affect primary
producers.I am a cow-calf producer with 140 cows. In the past I also
operated a beef feedlot in which I would finish Ontario or Western
cattle.
Like other farmers, my goal is to produce a high quality, safe,
economical product that consumers want to buy. I also want to make
enough money to stay in the business. To meet these goals I have to
use a variety of skills and management tools to get the best results
from; my cropping program, marketing, facilities, breeding program,
and herd health program etc..
Since I am in the business of raising livestock one of the management
tools I use is antibiotics.As a beef producer I am always looking
for ways to keep my cost of production down and my animals healthy.
Experience has shown me that dead animals don't gain well. Using antibiotics
costs me money and I only use them when necessary. I follow a number
of strategies to minimize their use. Not only does the product cost
me money but there is also the extra expense and stress of handling
the animal. An animal that needs to be treated is not performing well
and that adds to the cost of production. The beef industry operates
on some very narrow margins and I don't know of any producer that
uses any more inputs, including antibiotics, than they feel are absolutely
necessary to produce a high quality, safe and affordable product.
Health Management Practices
It is always better to follow a number of prevention protocols to keep
the animals healthy and growing efficiently.
- Education: Education is one of the key tools I have to minimizing
the use of antibiotics on my farm. I am a graduate of Ridgetown
College of Agricultural Technology but more importantly I continually
read trade publications and keep up on animal health issues that
affect my particular sector of the beef industry. The Canadian
Cattlemen's Association established the "Canadian Cattlemen's
Quality Starts Here Program" to ensure the quality and safety
of Canadian beef. This has been a major educational thrust to
make producers aware of the issues surrounding product safety
and quality. There has been a lot of buy-in from all sectors of
the industry-the pharmaceutical companies, veterinarians and producers.
Many livestock producers have taken the Livestock Medicines course
which has been offered across Ontario. This course stresses safe
and prudent use of all medicines.
- Animal Husbandry: This is something I consider extremely important.
I feel that a clean, comfortable, stress free environment aids
greatly in the prevention of diseases. As an example weaned calves
going into a feedlot need abundant clean, dry straw, proper feed
and clean water to minimize the stress. The less stressed they
are the less likely they are to get sick.
- Preventative Medicine: We, as an industry, are very involved
in preventative medicine. Wherever possible I use vaccines as
a means of disease prevention. Anti-parasitic products ranging
from dewormers to fly tags to beneficial insects are all used
to prevent stress and subsequent disease problems. In the beef
industry, calves that have been pre-conditioned, which includes
being vaccinated for clostridials and respiratory diseases, often
receive a premium price. The cattlemen buying these calves know
they will encounter fewer health problems in the feedlot. Fewer
health problems means having to use fewer antibiotics.
- Vet Farmer Relationship: I work very closely with my vet and
follow his recommendations. The emphasis today is overall herd
health and good management. The goal is disease prevention and
not treatment. The products I use have gone through an extensive
approval system by our federal agencies to ensure safety and efficacy.
When I do have to treat a sick calf or a cow I am a firm believer
in using the first line of defense in products. This means I still
use Penicillin and Tetracycline. I save the "big guns"
eg. Micotil and Nuflor as the second or third line of defense
if it should become necessary.
Researching Beef's Contribution
to the AMR Issue
As an industry we are responding to the challenge antimicrobial resistance
is presenting to both human and livestock medicine by initiating several
research projects. The Ontario Cattlemen's Association is taking a
proactive approach to determine whether or not beef production practices
are contributing to antimicrobial resistance and if so, to find management
alternatives. One project will develop, implement and assess prudent
use guidelines for livestock medicines on Ontario beef farms. A second
study will provide the framework for the ongoing collection of information
through a producer-orientated surveillance system of antimicrobial
use in the Ontario beef industry.
A major two year study that represents an investment of nearly $1
million will be funded by the Canada Alberta Beef Industry Development
Fund (CABIDF). This study will examine whether feedlot workers harbour
more antibiotic resistant bacteria than the general public due to
the close contact with cattle. We know that antibiotics are not passed
on to people through meat. If cattle contribute to the problem of
antimicrobial resistance it would be by passing on resistant bacteria.
The study will clarify beef's role in this problem.
The Trade Side of the Antimicrobial
Resistance Issue
Will the use of antimicrobial products in one country become a barrier
to trade with another country? If we make changes to our production
practices, which add to the expense of producing beef, we will be
at a great disadvantage when competing for international markets.
If Canadian beef producers have to change their production practices
then I would hope and expect any beef coming into this country would
have to meet the same standards. I cannot compete with imports from
some other jurisdiction that do not have to follow the same protocols.
If antimicrobial resistance becomes a trade issue I believe global
safety standards must be based on sound science, otherwise we will
have chaos.
Conclusion
We, in agriculture, are well aware of the issue of antimicrobial
resistance and the problem it can cause in health management. Don't
forget that we and our families would be among those most at risk.
If change is necessary we will certainly change. However, I cannot
emphasize this too strongly, the change must be based on good science
and not on public perception or emotion.
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