The panel includes experts with specific experience and knowledge in antibiotic practices or consumer marketing.
The NPB wants the panel to objectively review the status of antibiotic use in the pork industry and advise on efforts in prioritising research and education for producers. The panel will also be tasked with identifying opportunities for improvement in current antibiotic practices and offer guidance in how to improve antibiotic stewardship in the pork industry.
The panel members are:
• Mike Apley, DVM and PhD, food animal production medicine, Kansas State University
• Bonnie Buntain, DVM and coordinator, veterinary medical and surgical program, University of Arizona
• Mike Chaddock, DVM and associate dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University
• Chris Cochran, senior manager, food sustainability, Walmart
• Jim McCollum, protein purchasing manager, Independent Purchasing Cooperative, Inc.
• Justin Ransom, senior director, quality systems US, McDonald’s
• Steve Solomon, MD, public health consultant and former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s office of antimicrobial resistance.
“The critical role antibiotics play in pig farming is one of the most misunderstood facets of food production today,” said Chris Hodges, chief executive of the NPB. “We thank these leaders for their assistance and appreciate their range of expertise. From rigorous scientific study to foodservice and retail management, these experts will help us continue to build consumer trust and confidence in meat production.”
There is currently a global initiative from the World Health Organisation to reduce antibiotic use in farming, due to concerns about growing immunity to the drugs in humans. However, it was stressed that antibiotics were an important tool in farming and cannot be eliminated altogether.
“We are advancing in antibiotic stewardship, but antibiotics remain a vital part of our ability to address animal welfare and food safety issues,” said Michael Apley, a veterinarian and professor in clinical sciences at Kansas State University. “We can raise some animals without antibiotics, but not all.”
“The science is complicated, but we do know how to improve the use of antibiotics in both human and animal medicine,” said Steven Solomon, a public health consultant and former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s office of antimicrobial resistance. “We need to better translate complex information about antibiotic use for the benefit of the food consumer and the medical community.”