Oklahoma Congressman Josh Brecheen thinks the federal government is getting too involved in attempts to restrict certain antibiotics used by farmers and ranchers on their livestock.
He and Missouri Republican Rep. Eric Burlison introduced their Stop Government Overreach in Ranching Act this week, a bill to reverse Food and Drug guidance which would restrict the use of penicillin, oxytetracycline, sulfa-based antibiotics and a list of other antibiotics that are often bought at local feed stores. Under the new FDA guidance, which would take effect this month, a veterinarian would have to first issue a prescription to livestock owners.
“This FDA guidance by unelected bureaucrats only adds expense and hardship upon those of us involved in production agriculture,” said Brecheen.
He contended the new guidance will steal valuable time in treating sick animals and reduce inexpensive options.
“The only winner here will be the feel-good bureaucracy appeasing leftist World Health Organization grand ideals,” said Brecheen.
“Similar to radical climate ideology adherence, this administration will place burdens on American ranchers while many other parts of the world do not play by the same rules.”
Congressman Burlison felt much the same.
“Ranchers work hard to take care of their livestock. Yet, Washington bureaucrats continue to add guidances and regulations that make caring for their livestock increasingly more difficult. The Stop Government Overreach in Ranching Act will repeal the FDA’s burdensome guidance and give back to ranchers the ability to make their own decisions about their livestock.”
GFI 263 is part of a larger effort by the FDA and the World Health Organization to reduce antimicrobial resistance across the globe. While some countries do not have the same level of regulation on agricultural antibiotic use, many countries, such as China, do not play by the same rules. China, for its part, is the largest consumer of agricultural antibiotics and out-doses the United States eight-to-one. Even scientists who are in favor of heavy restrictions and want to lessen animal protein consumption worldwide admit that “global enactment” of restrictions will “only go so far,” and that “current reforms will have limited success.”