What are the laws regulating the use of animal antibiotics in animal agriculture?

In Hawaii, the use of animal antibiotics in animal agriculture is regulated by state law. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is the state agency responsible for issuing licenses and permits, as well as regulating the use of antibiotics for agricultural production. Under current law, all antibiotics used in agricultural production must be approved by the HDOA. This approval is based on the safety of the drug and its potential to cause adverse effects on food safety, the environment, animals, and humans. Any use of antibiotics must be done under the guidance of a veterinarian and must be prescribed for a legitimate medical purpose. In order to protect animal health, Hawaii law also requires farmers to maintain records of the antibiotics used on an animal, including the type of drug, how much was used, the duration of use, and the reason for administration. Additionally, HDOA regulations require a withdrawal period before any animal can be slaughtered for human consumption. During this period, no traces of antibiotics can be found in the animal. Finally, Hawaii law prohibits the use of any antibiotic that has been declared by the World Health Organization to be an “essential” drug. These drugs are considered too valuable for animal agriculture and the potential for misuse is too great. Overall, Hawaii has some of the strictest laws in the U.S. regarding the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. These laws are designed to protect animal health, prevent the spread of disease, and promote food safety for consumers.

What are the laws regulating the use of animal antibiotics in animal agriculture?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts