Bad news: The Hogan Administration’s draft regulations for the Keep Antibiotics Effective Act undermine the intent of the law and will likely fail to stop the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria on Maryland farms.
Good news: The Maryland legislators tasked with reviewing draft regulations like these (the “AELR” Committee) has used their power to temporarily stop the regulations from taking effect.
Ever better news: the same Maryland legislators can go further — they can make recommended changes to the draft regulations.
Please tell the AELR Committee: Thank you for holding the regulations to prevent the misuse of antibiotics on farms. Now, please work to fix them!
This action opportunity is only open to Maryland residents with legislators who are members of the AELR Committee. You can see the list of members here. If you do not have a representative on this committee, you can sign our petition asking Governor Hogan to strengthen the regulations.
The AELR Committee has already decided to hold and thoughtfully review the antibiotics regulations – now they need to hear from you on the need for a fix. Only the AELR Committee can bring the Hogan Administration to the table to rewrite these regulations.
The whole purpose of the Keep Antibiotics Effective Act is to prevent the routine use of antibiotics in farm animals that are not sick – a practice that is far too common. This practice contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistant infections that kill thousands of individuals every year and place vulnerable communities at risk.
The law passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support. Now, let’s make sure it’s implemented correctly.
Please tell the AELR Committee to fix the regulations so this law prevents the overuse of antibiotics on farms.
The agriculture industry should have clear rules on when they can give antibiotics to animals responsibly – like when they are sick, as determined by a veterinarian, or when they are undergoing a surgery.