Safeguarding America's Health (Text Version)

An essential part of your responsibility involves the judicious therapeutic use of antimicrobials. As you know, these drugs are extremely useful for relieving pain and suffering in food-producing animals; for all the things that are are caused by infectious bacteria.

The World Health Organization states that "antimicrobials are vital medicines for the treatment of bacterial infections in both humans and animals. Antimicrobials have also proved to be important for sustainable livestock production and for the control of animal infections that could be passed on to humans."

But it's important to understand that the use of antimicrobials isn't without risk. It is essential that they be administered wisely to protect both animal and ultimately consumer health.

The American Veterinary Medical Association or AVMA developed 15 principles for the guidance of veterinarians, but producers can also use them to help ensure a safe food supply.