My name is Nathaniel Austin-Mathley and I am a Waterford resident and student at the University of Connecticut. I write to you as a member of the UConnPIRG ABX campaign that aims to end the overuse of routine antibiotics in farm animals. When these drugs are in constant use, drug-resistant bacteria develops and spreads, infecting both animals and humans. An alarming percentage of bacterial infections are becoming resistant to drugs, causing the World Health Organization to declare routine antibiotic use on farm animals a public health crisis. McDonald’s has committed to reducing usage of antibiotics in their chicken products. Now we are working on having them produce a timeline and extend their efforts to all meat products in the chain. McDonald’s could set an example for other major food chains and move the market towards more sustainable farming practices. As consumers, and as health-conscious citizens, it is our right to be informed of and have a say in our food sources. For healthy kids and a sustainable future, it is important to spread awareness of this public health crisis.
Stay tuned for any events from our campaign on the UConn campus at: https://pirg.uconn.edu/ !
