June 20,2001
ALBERTA HOG MEGA-BARNS MAY BREED
ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA
Bell Hills Lake, Alta. - Between 20-30 million pounds of antibiotics are used on animals each year in North America . Much of that total is mixed with feed rations to promote growth and to prevent disease outbreaks that can ravage large livestock raised in high density, confined conditions
Researchers at the University of Illinois and the Illinois State Geological Survey recently made a conclusive link between antibiotic use in hog barns, the creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the escape of that bacteria into the water supplies.
The researchers found tetracycline-resistant bacteria in groundwater downstream from two hog barns. The researchers used DNA-amplification technology to link the resistant bacteria to the hogs at the barns. The study suggested that contaminated groundwater "may be a potential source of antibiotic resistance in the food chain."
In Alberta, water samples taken near a hog barn- from Bell Hill Lake which drains into the Battle River__ show high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. NFU member Dale Fankhanel suggested that the water may also harbour antibiotic resistant bacteria. He will ask the government to use DNA testing to link the bacteria to nearby farms and to test for antibiotic resistance.
"I think citizens have ab important new tool. DNA testing will allow us to link contamination to specific polluters and to monitor the creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria," said Fankhanel.
"Governments and factory farms promoters have called for scientific proof of water contamination. That proof is easily available to all who check. However, it is the government's responsibility, not the citizens', to monitor pollution and contamination. While the Government refuses to check water supplies and foists that responsibility onto citizens, factory farms are breeding and releasing antibiotic-resistant bacteria," said Fankhanel
Fankhanel pointed to the huge hog barn proposed by a Taiwanese corporation for Hardisty Alberta. "If we know that antibiotic use in hog feed breeds resistant bacteria, and if you know that the resistant bacteria is getting into the water and into people, why would we build more hog mega-barns?" asked Fankhanel.
He continued: "Mega-barns use low-levels of antibiotics and then leave the antibiotics in huge pools of liquified feces for about a year for the bacteria to become familiar with, and adjust to, the drugs. This must be some kind of breeding program for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It really calls into question the sustainability of this kind of livestock production."
Fankhanel concluded: "Citizens are concerned about food safety. Antibiotic resistance is a major food safety issue. If we make bacteria resistant to our antibiotics, we will irrevocably damage human health on this planet."
The research linking antibiotic resistant bacteria in groundwater to nearby livestock facilities was published in the April issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology. See the university of Illinois news release for more information on the research findings.
http://www.news.uiuc.edu/scitips/01/05grndwater.html.
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For More Information:
Dale Fanhankel, NFU member (708) 877-2280
Edward Davidson, Bells Hill Lake-Area Resident (708) 888-2123
Darrin Qualman, NFU Executive Secretary (708) 652-9465