Let’s speak of prudent use

To the editor:

I have no big quarrel with the state veterinarian’s comments about livestock production and antibiotics. I wish only to refocus everything that Stephen Crawford says about risk in his op-ed (“Livestock production and antibiotics,” June 17-30 NHBR).

Farmers and meat producers fed drugs to pigs, broiler chickens and calves to fatten them up faster. Preventing disease in livestock was just an advantageous side effect. Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that antimicrobial use in food animals poses a threat to people. So the policy of choice is “prudent use” to limit resistance and preserve the most benefits in the future.

William D’Alessandro
Amherst