News Applications Swine
Pigs and antibiotics: Is it a major issue for consumers?

Antibiotics have always been a touchy subject for livestock producers.

The use of antibiotics is already highly regulated, as concerns about antibiotic resistance remain significant. Because public perception around antibiotic use in meat fluctuates, livestock producers’ decisions on the use of antibiotics depends on consumer demand.

A new article by Bindu Paudel and Deepthi Kolady for SwineWeb explores U.S. consumers’ preferences and awareness of antibiotic use in meats, as well as what they are willing to pay for pork that was raised without antibiotics. A study found that more information is generally better for consumers; consumers in the control group were willing to pay between 53 and 68 cents per pound more for pork chops labelled as conventional use of antibiotics (compared to the no-information option) and between $1.05 and $1.32 cents per pound more for pork chops labelled as with minimal use of antibiotics (compared to no information). | READ MORE