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?
These pdf files of the production fact sheets can be a useful handout in educating your community in the importance of livestock production.
Myths and Facts on Livestock Expansion Illinois
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.
