Prof. John Prescott appeared on CBC Radio’s The Morning Edition K-W Jan. 4 discussing changes coming to Canada’s livestock industry. The story focused on the hundreds of over-the-counter antibiotics that will require a veterinarian prescription starting Dec. 1, 2018.
A Jan 2. CBC News story talked about a plan by Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food, to significantly cut back on the amount of antibiotics being used on animals. The story cites experts who say the overuse of antibiotics can cause “antimicrobial resistance” and lead to diseases and so-called “super bugs” that may affect humans.
Prescott told CBC that farmers play a societal role when they reduce the use of antibiotics in their livestock – not just in Canada, but globally. He also said that veterinarians will have to establish closer relationships with farmers to determine what prescriptions and follow up care might be needed.
Prescott, a professor emeritus at the Ontario Veterinary College, is an expert in antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial drug use in animals.