In Part II of Katie Couric's piece from CBS News on Antibiotics and Farm she visits a new model of factory farm that does not use antibiotics. In order to successfully raise animals in confinement succesfully without antibiotics, the farmers say that they have to provide additional space. This of course leads to an increased price of the meat products to consumers that the National Pork Board seems to suggest is too much.
The story also sites studies that show that incidence of infection with resistant bacteria in humans increased when animals started getting regularly fed antibiotics. After banning this practice in European countries the incidence of finding resistant bacteria in meet has decreased. The next step is to see the effect on public health.
It is very interesting and somewhat surprising to see that intensively raising animals in confinement is possible without antibiotics, provided they have a little more space. The turkey shed that Couric visits, doesn't look that different that one of the chicken houses that you might see in movies like Food, Inc or Our Daily Bread.
Watch part II below:
Rainbeau Ridge & Blue Hill
with Heather Bertinetti @ Marea
with Gina DePalma
with Christina @ Momofuku Milk Bar
Comments