ILDG | Myth 3

Myth #3

Antibiotic resistance is a result of modern livestock production.

Opponents say “Bacteria found near livestock facilities have a high rate of antibiotic resistance. These bacteria become airborne and could make my family sick.”
In truth, the studies that find antibiotic resistant bacteria in the air are actually discovering bacteria that are commonly found in or on the human body. These bacteria have a naturally occurring level of antibiotic resistance that we would expect to find if the bacteria had been pulled from a human intestine.
CAFO-RELATED MICROBIOLOGY ‘FACTOIDS’ VERSUS THE FACTS: ANIMAL FEED ADDITIVES DO NOT CREATE MICROBIAL HEALTH RISKS

Did you know that commonly found airborne bacteria actually have a naturally occurring level of antibiotic resistance?

Myth #1
Livestock odors will cause asthma in my children (air quality)

Myth #2
Livestock operations will pollute my groundwater (water quality)

Myth #3
Antibiotic resistance is a result of modern livestock production.

Myth #4
Facilities don’t have established procedures or plans to avoid or handle spills, runoff, etc.

Myth #5
Use of manure in pivot irrigation spews the smell everywhere.

Myth #6
Toxic chemicals are emitted from livestock facilities.

Myth #7
My property value will decrease if a livestock operation locates next to or near my property.

Myth #8
Our local roads can’t handle the weight of the heavier trucks that livestock operations require.

Myth #9
Livestock operations dispose of dead animals in unsanitary ways.

Myth #10
Livestock operations raise animals in harmful and inhumane ways.