There are over 275 organizations that support federal legislation that would end the preventative use of antibiotics in agriculture. Factory farms routinely pump their animals full of antibiotics in an attempt to counteract their overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. This abuse has contributed to the current situation of more and more antibiotic-resistant disease strains. Limiting the use of antibiotics for when they're really needed would make both human and animal medicine more effective.

Yet the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) opposes the legislation. They claim that the human health concern is theoretical, despite the fact that dozens of human health organizations endorse this act, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Associatio of County and City Health Departments, and others.

The AVMA also claims that reducing the use of antibiotics would result in more food-borne illness, ignoring the fact that most food-borne disease is a result of inhumane factory farm conditions. We don't need more antibiotics -- we need better treatment of farm animals.

The Humane Society of the United States, American Society for the Preventation of Cruelty to Animals, Farm Sanctuary, Animal Welfare Institute, Humane Farming Association, and National Anti-Vivisection Society all support PAMTA. Ask the AVMA to get on board and stand up for their mission to improve animal and human health.

Photo credit: Farm Sanctuary