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Poultry Perspective By Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton
Dr. Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton is Director of the Center for Food Animal Wellbeing at the University of Arkansas.

So, Chick-fil-A, what is your plan?

(The views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly those of the author.)

The Chick-fil-A announcement concerning antibiotics has certainly stirred a lot of conversation.  The announcement said “We are asking suppliers to work with the USDA to verify that antibiotics are never administered from the hatchery to the processing plant. Our commitment is to serve chicken raised without antibiotics in all Chick-fil-A restaurants, nationwide, within five years.” This announcement also notes that the move is in response to customer requests.

I have been a fan of Chick-fil-A for years but I am taking another look based on this announcement.  It is not the same message heard over and over from consumers. The use of antibiotics to prevent disease or promote growth has been their focus.  Growth promotion is the more controversial and the most easily eliminated.  But removal of antibiotics for prevention is the more troublesome for the animals.  As an example, I give my dogs a medication to prevent heartworms, which are common in our environment.  Is that analogous to giving chickens a medication to prevent a disease common in their environment?

While vaccines are more desirable, they do not work or not available for every condition.  Excessive use of any medication is undesirable but what about judicious use for prevention?  And then there is the food safety issue, but Dr. Raymond covered that in his blog Monday.

The bottom line, is what happens when birds get sick?  I certainly hope everyone agrees that where it is available and effective treatment is desirable.  It is here that the Chick-fil-A language is so troublesome. NEVER is a strong word, and is a particularly troublesome word when talking about administering antibiotics to animals that are sick.

Failure to use effective treatment is NOT humane. So, what should Chick-fil-A suppliers plan to do?  Do they euthanize the birds or simply divert them to a different market?

I want to know what Chick-fil-A would recommend.

2/26/2014

 
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