Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
any benefits have been offset by a reduction in protein con-
sumption caused by higher pork prices.
Denmark has also taken the lead in collecting detailed data
on how antibiotics are actually used on the farm, allowing
their scientists to identify the types of antibiotics and settings
that encourage resistance. The United States only publishes
numbers on the total amount of an antibiotic used. This makes
it difficult to craft a coordinated response to the threat of anti-
biotic resistance.
According to most writings and documentaries by food
activists, the use of confinement facilities for livestock is only
possible if the animals are constantly given antibiotics. They
suggest that without antibiotics the livestock industry would
evolve into small farms using more “natural” production
methods. Though the claim seems logical, it is an empirical
question, and this did not happen in Denmark. In fact, during
the period in which the ban took effect, bigger farms replaced
smaller farms, and the pork industry retained the use of con-
finement facilities with only minor adjustments.
