Non-profit urges McDonald's to reduce antibiotics in livestock supply chain

LONDON, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- The non-profit group ShareAction called on the McDonald's Corporation Friday to stop antibiotics use in its meat sources Friday.

The London-based organization, whose mission includes improvement of corporate attitudes toward environmentalism and social causes, noted McDonald's has set goals regarding reduction of the use of antibiotics in its poultry supply chains but has not addressed the issue in its purchase of beef, pork or dairy products. It established an online pathway to email McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook to directly request the company stop routine antibiotic treatment in its livestock supply chain.

ShareAction said 70 percent of all antibiotics used in the United States, and 50 percent of those used in the United Kingdom, are given to livestock. It added the British government, in a research paper, called the practice "excessive and inappropriate" and could lead to a public health crisis of drug-resistant infections, costing the world $100 trillion in lost output by 2050.

Catherine Howarth, ShareAction CEO, said in the statement, "Improved animal welfare practices are a far more sensible way to prevent disease than antibiotic overuse. We hope this action will encourage McDonald's to supersize their ambition -- now is the time for action."