Press Releases

Today, Congressman Leonard Boswell, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, held a hearing to review advances in animal health, particularly the use of antimicrobials in the livestock industry.

The subcommittee heard testimony from Federal agency representatives responsible for animal and human health as well as representatives from animal health groups, the animal agriculture industry and academia. Testimony focused on how antimicrobials are used in animal agriculture and best management practices that help producers responsibly manage their use.

“It is clear from today’s hearing and the testimony of producers and veterinarians in the field, that antimicrobial use decreases mortality of animals, decreases disease, reduces cost of food and increases food safety,” Chairman Boswell said. “I believe in science-based research.  Healthy animals bring us healthy food, and science plays a huge role in that.”

“Today, the subcommittee heard undeniable evidence supporting the judicious use of antimicrobials in animal agriculture. I hope that careful consideration is given to this record by those groups and individuals who are advocating arbitrary limitations on these vital animal health tools,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Robin Hayes.

Witness testimony is available on the Committee website. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website in 4-6 weeks.

Witness List

Dr. John Clifford, DVM, Deputy Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.

Dr. Bernadette Dunham, DVM, PhD, Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland

Dr. Craig Rowles, DVM, Pork Producer, on behalf of the National Pork Producers Federation, Carroll, Iowa

Dr. Michael Rybolt, Director, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, National Turkey Federation, Washington, D.C.

Dr. Robert D. Byrne, PhD., Senior Vice President, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, National Milk Producers Federation, Arlington, Virginia

Dr. Spangler Klopp, DVM, Diplomat, American College of Poultry Veterinarians, Corporate Veterinarian, Townsends, Inc., on behalf of the National Chicken Council, Georgetown, Delaware

Mr. Blair Van Zetten, Oskaloosa Food Products, on behalf of United Egg Producers, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Dr. Michael D. Apley, DVM, PhD, Director, PharmCATS Bioanalytical Laboratory, and Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Manhattan, Kansas

Dr. Richard Carnevale, Vice President, Scientific, Regulatory and International Affairs, Animal Health Institute, Washington, D.C.

Dr. Christine Hoang, DVM, MPH, Assistant Director, Scientific Activities Division, American Veterinary Medical Association, Schaumburg, Illinois

Dr. Randall Singer, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota

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