Pew Applauds Wal-Mart's Announcement Regarding Judicious Use of Antibiotics

WASHINGTON—The Pew Charitable Trusts today commended Wal-Mart for announcing that it will ask all its suppliers of meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, and eggs to adopt and implement the American Veterinary Medical Association’s principles on the judicious use of antibiotics. The suppliers will provide Wal-Mart and the public with regular updates of antibiotic use in their food production.

Gail Hansen, a veterinarian and senior officer for Pew’s antibiotic resistance project, provided the following statement:

“As the largest grocery store chain in the United States, Wal-Mart has taken a significant step forward in the fight against antibiotic resistance by asking that all meat sold in its stores come from animals raised in accordance with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s principles for judicious use of antimicrobials. Suppliers adopting these principles should develop strategies for preventing disease, support appropriate veterinary oversight when using antibiotics, and maintain accurate records when treating sick animals. Wal-Mart is also asking suppliers to provide annual reports to monitor and track reductions in antibiotic use. All of these efforts are critical components of curtailing the use of antibiotics important to human health.”  

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Learn more at www.pewtrusts.org.