Earlier today in Santa Monica, Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) announced plans to introduce legislation to increase information on the amount and use of antibiotics in animals raised for human consumption.
The bill, the “Delivering Antibiotic Transparency in Animals (DATA) Act,” will provide critical information to the FDA about the amounts and types of antibiotics being fed to livestock.
Waxman made the announcement at a press conference at Border Grill, located at 1445 Fourth Street in Santa Monica.
He was joined by Chef Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill Restaurant, Chef Nancy Silverton of Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza, Dr. Brad Spellberg of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and Jean Halloran of Consumers Union.
“We need reliable information about the use of antibiotics in agricultural operations,” Waxman said. “The more we learn, the graver the threat becomes from overuse of antibiotics by industrial-scale farms. We need this information so scientists and Congress can stop the spread of drug-resistant infections from farm animals to humans.”
The bill will require drug manufacturers to provide comprehensive information to FDA on how their drugs are used on farms.
The legislation will also require reporting by feed mills for the first time.
Virtually all antibiotic consumption on farms comes through feeds mixed with antibiotics. The bill will require feed mills to submit data to FDA on the types, purposes, and quantities of antibiotics being given to animals through feed.
Waxman is an incumbent democrat up for re-election Nov. 6 in the newly created 33rd Congressional District, which includes Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Agoura Hills, Venice, Mar Vista, and the South Bay.
