Livestock producers will be depending more on their vet starting December 1, as from that point on, a prescription will be required to purchase antibiotics.

Veterinarian Dr. Wayne Tomlinson has been speaking to producers during the recent round of fall district meetings being hosted by Manitoba Beef Producers.

"The vast majority of producers have a good relationship with their veterinarian," he explained. "They've already been doing everything that the new regulations are going to require of them so there will be very little change. There will be a small number of producers, probably a lot of the smaller producers, often the hobby farm people, who do not have regular contact with a veterinarian that may see some changes."

Tomlinson noted that going forward, antibiotics coming from the U.S. or offshore will no longer be allowed into Canada for use in livestock.

The upcoming changes are being mandated by the federal government as part of a global effort to decrease the rate of antimicrobial resistance.

 

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