Hoosier Ag Today by: Cayla McLeland
Pork Checkoff to Focus on Antibiotics
The Pork Checkoff has identified antibiotics as a priority issue. John Johnson, COO for the National Pork Board, says action is already being taken. That includes the establishment of the Blue Ribbon Panel, a group of subject matter experts with an arm’s length from the pork industry.
“They would be viewed as an objective, expert in the field and they could be a resource to the pork industry both to offer constructive criticism about how we can continue on the path of continuous improvement, where we need to emphasize further development in either record-keeping on the farm, how we use antibiotics in the barn, or the research we do in looking at alternatives to antibiotics or efficiencies in how we use antibiotics. So there’s a variety of areas where the subject matter experts can advise the pork industry.”
Johnson says they hope to establish credibility with the group that they’ve chosen.
“Because they are, more or less as I described them, at arm’s length. They are subject matter experts but they don’t have a vested interest in the pork industry.”
Johnson expects this panel to meet at least twice per year. The group will review the regulatory changes coming from the federal government.
“In light of all that, they should also review our industry efforts to educate our producer community about these changes. Are we preparing our producers for this changing world? Are there things we can do better or more of to better engage with the farm community about these changes?”
Johnson says they’ll also make recommendations on antibiotic usage.
“None of us want to lose these valuable tools. So if we want to protect their efficacy both for human use as well as for livestock use on the farm, it’s in everyone’s best interest to have the best plan going forward for antibiotic stewardship.”
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