IATP Hog Report - Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
IATP Hog Report - Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
IATP Hog Report - Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
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Section 2<br />
5. Support the right of hog factory workers to <strong>for</strong>m union to protect<br />
their welfare.<br />
Antibiotic Use<br />
1. In<strong>for</strong>m farmers about the scientific reasoning underlying current<br />
calls <strong>for</strong> re<strong>for</strong>m of policies regarding antibiotic use in agriculture.<br />
Overcome the misin<strong>for</strong>mation of agribusiness <strong>and</strong> pharmaceutical<br />
interests, which imply that concerns about antibiotic resistance<br />
from subtherapeutic antibiotic uses in animal agriculture are based<br />
on "junk science." Many farmers believe this because only the<br />
agribusiness point of view is presented in magazines <strong>and</strong> journals<br />
serving farmers. These magazines are usually free or low-cost to<br />
farmers because advertising revenues from chemical companies,<br />
<strong>and</strong> other input industries to agriculture, support them.<br />
2. Implement natural solutions <strong>for</strong> such animal problems as<br />
environment-induced production diseases <strong>and</strong> aberrant behaviors.<br />
Rationale: Animal per<strong>for</strong>mance will again be dependent upon<br />
nutrition, husb<strong>and</strong>ry, <strong>and</strong> naturally supported health <strong>and</strong> wellbeing,<br />
rather than on antibiotics <strong>and</strong> other growth promoting feed<br />
additives.<br />
3. Demonstrate models of livestock rearing based on sound<br />
ethological <strong>and</strong> ecological principles. Provide farmers the sciencebased<br />
know-how to operate humane, sustainable farming systems<br />
in which antibiotic feed additives are not needed.<br />
Rationale: Only if they have workable alternatives can family<br />
farmers reject the prevailing industrial model of animal production.<br />
4. In<strong>for</strong>m consumers of the importance of their choices in influencing<br />
animal agriculture to become more humane <strong>and</strong> sustainable.<br />
Rationale: Safe, environmentally sound, <strong>and</strong> humane livestock<br />
production practices cannot be sustained if they are not supported<br />
by consumer dem<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> willingness to pay in the marketplace.<br />
5. Ban growth promoting, non-therapeutic uses of antibiotics in<br />
agricultural production.<br />
6. Work toward national legislation requiring that use of antibiotics<br />
in agriculture be under veterinary prescription.<br />
7. Ban the industrialized, intensive confinement production methods<br />
http://www.iatp.org/hogreport/sec2.html (23 of 38)2/27/2006 3:50:06 AM
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