Antibiotics in agriculture

The European Parliament today adopted a resolution calling for an end to the prophylactic use of antibiotics in livestock farming. The Greens strongly welcomed the support of the entire European Parliament for this long-standing Green call and urged the Commission to come forward with proposals to this end. After the vote, Green public health spokesperson Bart Staes said:

"Finally banning the prophylactic use of antibiotics in livestock farming would end this current unsustainable farming practice and be a hugely positive development for public health in Europe. It would be an important step in reducing the growing antimicrobial resistance of bacteria that is caused to a significant degree by inappropriate use of antibiotics in livestock farming.

"Antibiotics should only be used to treat acute illnesses, whether for humans or animals. Routine prophylactic use of antibiotics in animal feed is used to prop up unnaturally high densities of animals in factory farming systems, which is highly polluting and inhumane, as well damaging the health of farmers, workers and the general public. The EP has today issued a clear message and we look to the European Commission to swiftly come forward with proposals to realise this.”