ROUTINE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN LIVESTOCK FARMING

Early day motion 228, tabled 21 January 1999 by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour). Signed by 37 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; welcomes the decision by the European Union to prohibit the use of four of the antibiotics used as growth promoters in farming; fears that this move will not on its own be sufficient to address the risk to human health presented by the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock farming which encourages the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria; accordingly believes the use of all antibiotics as growth promoters in animals should be brought to an end; 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 take the lead in persuading our European Union partners to phase out the use of all antibiotics in farming as growth promoters and to introduce tighter restrictions on their use in farming for phophylactic purposes.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 5, Labour/Co-operative 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.