Antibiotics
A serious public health concern related to ILOs is the routine use of antibiotics in livestock production, which creates antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. In 1997, the World Health Organization called for the curtailment of antibiotic use in animal production.
The Union of Concerned Scientists
has conducted research into the extent of antibiotic use in livestock production in the US. Their report, Hogging It!: Estimates of Antimicrobial Abuse in Livestock, also includes recommendations to prevent the loss of antibiotics for treating human illnesses.Friends of the Earth Europe
has information on the planned European Union 2006 ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in the livestock industry.