Livestock and poultry groups recently hosted educational briefings on Capitol Hill to share the facts about the importance of tools like antibiotics. Veterinarian Dr. Craig Rowles says more and more evidence shows that responsible, professional use of vaccines keeps animals healthy and enhances animal welfare without contributing to resistance.

 Rowles says producers are doing the right thing. He says they use antibiotics to protect the health and well being of herds and to produce safer meats for the consumer. “The maximum level of protection is the prevention of infection. Very simply, it’s exactly what it sounds like. If my animals immunize correctly, if that animal is exposed to the infectious organism, not only will there be no loss, but there will be no infection at all. We’ll limit infection, we’ll limit exposure risks to other animals, and we’ll limit disease costs. The next layer would be prevention of disease. The animal and the business will not experience any losses associated with a disease.

 Dr. Rowles says that every process always starts with safety and then moves to efficacy. Through the information that comes from the sponsoring company, the USDA will take a very critical look at the work that’s been done.