Veterinary Association Questions Pew Report

The American Veterinary Medical Association has issued a report that questions the conclusions and recommendations made last year by the Pew Commission on industrial farm animal production. The Association's CEO, Ron DeHaven, wrote in a cover letter to U.S. House and Senate members of his concerns about the Pew report. The report is being used to advocate for H.R. 1549 and S. 619, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act. DeHaven urged legislators to vote against the bill.

The AVMA questions the Pew Commission's process for gaining technical expertise. AVMA says the Pew technical reports were biased and did not incorporate the findings and suggestions of a significant number of academicians.

Concerning antimicrobial resistance, the environment and animal welfare were determined to be most pertinent to veterinary medicine, AVMA asserts that many of the Pew Commission's sub-points have significant shortfalls and lack information as to how the commission would execute a new plan or program.

Also, the AVMA says the Pew Commission's recommendations for highly restrictive bans on antibiotic use have not been proven beneficial to public health. DeHaven points out that Denmark and the Netherlands have found that even a small decrease in antibiotic use severely diminished animal health and welfare without significantly improving human health.