Politics & Government
Governor Signs Historic Bill Making California the First State to Regulate Antibiotic Use in Livestock
Combat Antibiotic Resistance, which Kills Thousands of Americans Each Year
Governor Signs Historic Bill Making California the First State to Regulate Antibiotic Use in Livestock
New Law
Written by Senator Jerry Hill Will Combat Antibiotic Resistance, which Kills Thousands of Americans Each Year
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SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown today signed SB 27 by Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo/Santa Clara counties), making California the first state in the nation to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the use of antibiotics in farm animals. 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.
“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 Senator Hill.
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“We are grateful for Governor 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.
Ever since the 1950s, when antibiotics started to be used in agriculture, there has been no requirement for a prescription when using these drugs in livestock. Hill worked collaboratively with California’s farming and agriculture organizations, veterinary associations, environmental and public health organizations, and the Governor’s Administration to write the legislation.
According to 2013 data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), livestock producers are the largest consumers of antibiotics in the nation, accounting for about 70 percent of antibiotics sold. The same data shows that 98 percent of antibiotics approved for use in livestock are available over the counter without a veterinary prescription. Movements to regulate antibiotic use in livestock date back to at least 1977, when the FDA first attempted to ban certain uses. All attempts have failed on both the federal and state levels, except for voluntary guidelines released in 2013 by the FDA.
With the goal of reducing antibiotic resistance, SB 27 establishes a first-in-the-nation regulatory framework for making sure antibiotics are used judiciously in livestock. In order to give time for producers to establish a relationship with a veterinarian and to prepare for the significant changes made by the bill, the following requirements go into effect on January 1, 2018:
· 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 in the bill go into effect on January 1, 2016:
· The Department of Food and Agriculture 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 Department of Food and Agriculture will also 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 with the legislation, including fines, educational classes on antibiotic use, and actions against a veterinarian’s license.
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Nate Solov
Office of Senator Jerry Hill
916-651-4013
News Release - Office of State Senator Jerry Hill – Oct. 10, 2015
Contact: Leslie Guevarra - cell (415) 298-3404 or Nate Solov - cell 916-768-1378
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Robert Riechel
For San Bruno CA Patch
Photo Credit: San Bruno CA Patch Archives
Source Credit: CA State Senator Jerry Hill
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