The emergence in England of an E. coli 026 bug that is resistant to families of antibiotics, including penicillins, has sparked new discussion about the heavy use of antibiotics on farms.
This week, ministers on a British government veterinary committee were briefed about the finding on a dairy farm with 40 cows and 20 calves. Nineteen of the calves and three of the cows were found to have a "superbug'' version of E. coli 026 that survived exposure to common antibiotics.
The Lancashire-based Farmers Guardian magazine quoted officials from The Soil Association, a lobby for organic farming, who said heavy use of antibiotics in farms is prompting E. coli bacteria to start mutating to ensure their own survival.
The dairy farm where the bacteria was found doesn't pose an immediate public health risk, but officials have instructed the family on how to avoid getting infected.
The Soil Association called on the British government to devise specific recommendations to limit the use of antibiotics on farms.
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