ROUTINE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN LIVESTOCK FARMING

Early day motion 1530, tabled 8 July 1998 by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 48 members.

That this House notes with concern the emergence of resistance in bacteria to some of the antibiotics used to treat serious infections in humans; fears that a growing risk to human health is presented by the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock farming which encourages the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria; accordingly believes the routine use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animals to be irresponsible; further believes that the routine use of antibiotics to forestall the diseases which are inevitable in intensive farming should be restricted and replaced by the introduction of healthy practices in animal husbandry and good hygiene; and urges Her Majesty's Government to phase out the use of antibiotics in farming as growth promoters and to introduce tighter restrictions on their use in farming for prophylactic purposes.

Signatures by party: Labour 34, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 3.