From: Mark K Bennett [maxmark@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 1:22 AM
To: EXECSEC
Subject: Antibiotics in Agriculture
Jane E. Henney, M.D.
Commissioner
U. S. Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville MD 20857-0001

Dear Commissioner Henney:

I'm sure you're aware of the public's concern over the misuse of antibiotics in agriculture. Antibiotic overuse is said to be contributing to the emergence of untreatable diseases in the population by contributing to the rise in drug-resistant microorganisms. The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that reliable data on antibiotic use in agriculture, data that's needed for an effective national strategy to reduce antibiotic use, is unavailable. As the UCS says, "Government-guaranteed information on U.S. antibiotic use is necessary for creating effective solutions for reducing antibiotic use.  The Food and Drug Administration has recognized the need for collecting such information, but it has not taken steps to establish the needed system." 

Of course the UCS has compiled data of its own, good data, but by their own admission they state that it's not good enough. Clearly it's time for the FDA to create a federal antibiotic reporting system that collects information for both human and agricultural use and should include the class, indication, dosage, and treatment period.

I urge you Commissioner Henney to establish a workable and comprehensive reporting system to determine the quantity of antibiotics used in U.S. agriculture.

Thanks for listening,


Mark K Bennett


Mark K Bennett
4525 Georgia Street, Apt. 5
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 296-6741
maxmark@earthlink.net

"Skepticism is a virtue."