Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has reintroduced the “Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA).”  According to Slaughter this legislation is to “stop the overuse of antibiotics on the farm.”

P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

March 18, 2013

1 Min Read
Slaughter Again Calls for Antibiotic Restrictions

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has reintroduced the “Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA).”  According to Slaughter this legislation is to “stop the overuse of antibiotics on the farm.”  She states, “Since 1977, when the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledged the threat of antibiotic-resistant disease and called for a reduction in the use of antibiotics in animals, we have been waiting for meaningful action to protect public health.  Instead, we’ve gotten delays and half measures and as a result even common illnesses like strep throat could soon prove fatal. I’ve introduced this legislation because Congress must act immediately to protect the public health.”  This legislation would not allow the use of medically important antibiotics except for the treatment of a sick animal, including Cephalosporins, which was added to this year’s legislation.  Antibiotic use in animals will be an issue during this year’s reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fees Act (ADUFA).  The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) will mark up its ADUFA bill on March 20. 

 

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About the Author(s)

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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