TUCKER, Ga. – US Poultry & Egg Association joined 16 other agricultural organizations in submitting a letter to Congress in response to the recent Consumers Union report on the use of antibiotics in poultry and livestock production.

“Blanket actions to restrict antibiotic use would hurt countless animals, limit our ability to prevent, control and treat disease and actually make our food system less safe. We agree that a dialogue is essential to the use of antibiotics in farm animals, but we stand firm that antibiotics, when used properly and under the care of a veterinarian, are critical to making food safe,” stated the coalition in its letter.

“As food producers, our members’ focus every day is the care and well-being of animals to produce a safe and wholesome product. As food consumers, the same members demand safe and wholesome food for themselves and their families,” the coalition concluded. “All production systems have food safety and animal health challenges, and our members work hard to meet those challenges and remain committed to providing the best and safest possible food product.”

Other organizations that signed the letter include the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Feed Industry Association, American Meat Institute, American Veterinary Medical Association, Animal Agriculture Alliance, Animal Health Institute, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Grain and Feed Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, and the North American Meat Association.

To read the full letter, go to http://www.uspoultry.org/positionpapers/index.cfm.