G7 told to act on antibiotics as dreaded superbug hits U.S.

G7 told to act on antibiotics as dreaded superbug hits U.S.

The U.S. has recorded its first case of resistance to last-resort drug, 
but it has already surfaced in Canada and Europe

Britain told the G7 industrial powers on May 27 to do more to fight killer superbugs as the United States reported its first patient with bacteria resistant to a last-resort antibiotic. U.S. scientists said the infection in a 49-year-old Pennsylvania woman “heralds the emergence of truly pandrug-resistant bacteria” because it could not be controlled even

cattle in a feedlot

Antimicrobial use in beef to meet new pressures

Antimicrobial resistance in the Canadian beef sector is currently low, 
but experts warn that producers should be cautious of overuse

Antimicrobial use in Canadian cattle is in for a major rethink. Growing concern from consumers and animal scientists over antibiotic resistance also underlines an unpleasant truth for producers — these long-relied-upon tools may be on the cusp of becoming ineffective. “In our industry we need to know if we are creating resistance within our animal


(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.K. review calls for urgent cuts to antibiotic use in livestock

London | Reuters –– Massive use of antibiotics in farming poses a critical threat to global public health and should be reduced dramatically to an internationally-agreed target, according to a British government-commissioned review. Agreeing and implementing a global target for agricultural antibiotic use won’t be easy, the review, led by former Goldman Sachs chief economist

Widespread antibiotic use reduced disease levels in herds but also sent resistance levels soaring.


Antimicrobial resistance in cattle means big changes coming

An alarming rise in resistance even has drug companies calling for producers to change their ways


Multi-drug resistance to disease-causing bacteria is quickly becoming a complete “game changer” that could cripple the cattle industry’s ability to manage common bovine diseases. “We are really slamming into the end of the antibiotic era,” said Dr. Trisha Dowling, a professor of veterinary pharmacology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. “I’ve got 24 different


Little piglet in piggery with innocent eye

Women’s Institute calls for action to protect antibiotics from overuse

The Manitoba Women’s Institute held its annual meeting earlier this month in Winnipeg

The Manitoba Women’s Institute has added its voice to the growing concerns expressed about overuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals. At its May convention members strongly supported a resolution calling for the federal government to take action before a health crisis develops. Newdale farmer and retired nurse, Enid Clark, spoke to the matter

cattle in a feedlot

Auditor general slams federal inaction on antimicrobial drugs for livestock

Little progress has been made after more than a decade of discussions

The federal government has failed to take effective measures to contain the proliferation of drug-resistant bugs that threaten human health and to prevent the overuse of antimicrobial drugs in livestock production, says Auditor General Michael Ferguson. The Public Health Agency and Health Canada “have not fulfilled key responsibilities to mitigate the public health risks posed



barn full of chickens

Federal government unveils plans to tackle drug resistance

Federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose has held a workshop 
with industry to discuss the plan

The federal government has unveiled a national plan for tackling the growing threat from bacteria increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Late on April 17, the Department of Health issued a press release saying it would propose regulations under the Food and Drugs Act to end growth-promoting claims and bulk imports. It didn’t provide any details on



woman speaking at a seminar

Livestock producers must end antimicrobial growth promotants

The risk from antimicrobial-resistant organisms found in meat is statistically low, but of great potential consequence

If producers want to keep antibiotics in their tool boxes, they’re going to have to change the way they use them. And that means voluntarily ending the use of antimicrobials as growth promotants, Leigh Rosengren told those attending the annual Manitoba Swine Seminar in Winnipeg. “I promise you, if we see no change, this will