As debate begins about the banning of antibiotics in agricultural feed, some local farmers appear to be ahead of the discussion.
The Ontario Medical Association released a report calling for a ban on antibiotics in agricultural feed. The reason given in the report is that bacteria are becoming more resistant to antibiotics.
But for Jason Reid, banning antibiotics isn’t a new concept.
He started farming in 2003 and raises cattle and sheep. He said he doesn’t use antibiotics because his farm is so small that he doesn’t have the same kinds of concerns that larger farms do.
“It’s not that I’m totally against the idea, but in my operation I don’t see the need,” Reid said.
“I use it as a selling point because we don’t use it and people like to hear it. It’s definitely a trend. Consumers are more willing to pay more for that feeling of knowing the farmer and knowing the family and knowing where their food comes from.”
He said there’s a huge market for farmers who don’t want to use antibiotics, but he believes it’s safe to use them.
Farmers have invested thousands of dollars into research to make sure that using antibiotics is safe. Reid says it’s important to conduct research into issues such as using antibiotics because no one wants to assume something when it comes to what people put into their bodies.
Reid believes that if bigger farms were to stop using antibiotics there would be a price to pay.
Production could slow down so the farms can ensure that the livestock is as peak condition meaning the price at the grocery store could go up.
Reid said removing antibiotics will also mean higher production costs.
“It would be grand if we could all be totally organic but the problem is there’s so many more people in the world than there was 200 years ago,” he said.
“We have to feed the people somehow. It’s a fine line we have to walk. I feel the food we produce in Canada is some of the best quality you can buy anywhere.”
