The decision by British bacon suppliers
Spoiltpig / Brydock Farms to supply bacon from pigs raised without the use of antibiotics has been welcomed by campaigners.
The
Alliance to Save our Antibiotics said that the initiative shows how major improvements in animal husbandry and welfare can greatly contribute to reducing farm antibiotic use, while still delivering affordable meat. The Alliance hopes that the pig industry will learn from the new system, which shows that responsible farming can both promote animal welfare and help protect the future of antibiotics.
Animals account for 45% of antibiotic use in the UK. This contributes to the rise in bacteria which are antibiotic-resistant -- an issue which has been identified by health authorities as a global crisis.
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