Antibiotic overuse in food animals leads to the development of resistant "superbugs." These superbugs can cause illnesses in humans and animals that are more difficult to treat. Industrial farms routinely feed antibiotics to healthy animals to make them grow a bit faster and to compensate for overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) admitted that antibiotic overuse in food animals is a problem, but so far has done nothing to stop it.

At the end of June, the FDA released a draft voluntary guidance document describing the problem of drug abuse on farms. However, the agency failed to say how it would tackle this problem. The agency also significantly understated the amount of antibiotics that are misused on farms. The FDA is now asking for feedback on how to better address this public health issue.

Click here to download FDA's guidance document.

FACT, as part of the Keep Antibiotics Working coalition, will be submitting extensive comments to the FDA. But we also need you to write today. Ask the FDA to take concrete steps to reduce antibiotic overuse - not just talk about the problem. Urge the FDA to prohibit the use of antibiotics for growth promotion and routine disease prevention on farm.

Please personalize the sample email below to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg and include Docket # FDA-2010-D-0094 in the subject line. Send your email message directly to FACT at antibiotics@foodanimalconcerns.org, no later than Thursday, August 26th. We will then submit your email along with the other responses to the FDA Commissioner.

Here is a sample email you can use. Please make your letter personal by adding in your own thoughts and concerns. Every letter makes a difference, but customized letters have the greatest effect!

Subject line: Docket # FDA-2010-D-0094

Dear Commissioner Hamburg:

I am writing regarding the FDA's request for comment on Draft Guidance #209, The Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals. While it is commendable that the FDA recognizes that the overuse of antibiotics on farms harms animal and human health, it is time for the FDA to take action to protect health and stop this unnecessary and unsafe overuse.

FDA should act now to prohibit the use of antibiotics for growth promotion and routine disease prevention. In addressing the problem of antibiotic overuse, the FDA needs to stick to it public health mission, stop delaying, and take concrete steps to reduce the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. Draft Guidance #209 fails to do this.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Your City, State and Zip]