Antibiotics Restrictions: Taking Stock of Denmark’s Experience

Thumbnail Image
Date
2015-08-10
Authors
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Authors
Person
Hayes, Dermot
Distinguished Professor
Person
Jensen, Helen
Professor Emeritus
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Organizational Unit
Center for Agricultural and Rural Development

The Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) conducts innovative public policy and economic research on agricultural, environmental, and food issues. CARD uniquely combines academic excellence with engagement and anticipatory thinking to inform and benefit society.

CARD researchers develop and apply economic theory, quantitative methods, and interdisciplinary approaches to create relevant knowledge. Communication efforts target state and federal policymakers; the research community; agricultural, food, and environmental groups; individual decision-makers; and international audiences.

Journal Issue
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Center for Agricultural and Rural Development
Abstract

In June of 2003, McDonald’s Corporation announced that it would prohibit its direct suppliers from using antibiotics that are important in human medicine as growth promotants in food animals after 2004. The company also created a purchasing preference for companies that work to minimize antibiotic use. This announcement, coupled with recent Food and Drug Administration guidance on the same issue, will put pressure on the U.S. livestock industry to consider alternatives to feed-grade antibiotics. Denmark recently banned the use of feed-grade antibiotics in pork production and has been joined in this action by countries in the European Union. We traveled to Denmark last summer to talk to Danish veterinarians, farmers, economists, and industry analysts about how the ban was implemented and how the Danish pork industry responded to the changes. What we learned about the economic impact of the ban, as well as the effects on total antibiotic consumption, provides evidence of the likely economic impacts of a similar ban for the U.S. pork industry.

Comments
Description
Keywords
Citation
DOI
Source
Copyright
Collections