California Becomes First State to Regulate Antibiotic Use in Livestock

California became the first state in the nation to regulate the use of antibiotics in livestock when Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 27 into law over the weekend.

According to Senator Jerry Hill’s office, “unnecessary use of antibiotics has been linked to the development of antibiotic resistant infections, which affect at least 2 million Americans each year and cause at least 23,000 deaths.”

Hill, D-Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, authored the bill.

“The lifesaving potential of antibiotics is quickly diminishing and people are dying because the drugs are less effective. With Governor Brown’s signature on SB 27, California becomes the first state in the country to enact laws to help reduce the burden of antibiotic resistant infections, preserve the usefulness of antibiotics, and save lives,” said Sen. Hill.

“We are grateful for Gov. Brown’s leadership in signing SB 27. The serious and complex issue of antibiotic resistance demands trained and licensed professionals to make decisions about when and how to use these important drugs. California is the first state – and hopefully not the last – to take meaningful steps to rein in overuse of antibiotics in animals raised for food,” added Michael Blackwell, DVM, MPH, a board member of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.

Antibiotics gained widespread use in livestock beginning in the 1950s. A prescription is not required when the drugs are used in farm animals. Some 70 percent of antibiotics sold in this country are used in livestock, according to the FDA. The FDA has been trying to regulate farm use of antibiotics since the 1970s, but resistance from ranchers has been fierce.

The new law takes full effect Jan. 1, 2018. Its main provisions:

• A prescription will be required for all medically important antibiotics used in livestock
• The use of medically important antibiotics to fatten up livestock will be prohibited
• There will be limits on using medically important antibiotics for disease prevention.

Other provisions go into effect on Jan. 1, 2016:

• The California Department of Food and Agriculture (DFA) will develop an antibiotic stewardship program to promote better use of antibiotics and to promote alternatives to reduce the need to use antibiotics in the first place
• The DFA will begin a program to monitor the use of medically important antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in livestock.
• Penalties will be imposed on producers and veterinarians for noncompliance including fines, educational classes on antibiotic use, and actions against a veterinarian’s license

--Image via WkiMedia Commons