JAC. Published by Oxford University Press. Antibiotic use in animals—prejudices, perceptions and realities

Regulatory authorities have suspended the use of some antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed. The subject remains a hotly debated topic around the world. Controversy surrounds whether such use in ani-mals presents a real risk of increasing resistance in human pathogens, and hence a human health problem. Views tend to be polarized. Proponents of the bans point to falling rates of resistance in animal and human isolates as a direct result; detractors question whether evidence exists for a link between growth promoter use and resistance in human pathogens and cite a decline in animal health among the undesirable effects. The article by Phillips et al. in this issue puts one view, this article aims to consider the merits of the argu-ments put forward by both sides and looks to a way forward