TUCKER, GA – Antibiotic use in poultry production has been extremely effective in enhancing bird health and producing a wholesome, safe, and economical food supply. However, as consumers, industry professionals, and regulators seek to gain more understanding of how their food is produced, even the judicious use of antibiotics by the poultry industry raises questions.

The Antibiotics Conference – Current Issues for the Poultry and Egg Industry, sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, aims to explore and discuss antibiotic use as viewed from the regulatory and scientific perspective of leading industry experts. For the first time at the International Poultry Expo, experts from the United States, Europe, and Latin America will discuss the current use of antibiotics throughout the world, explore the differences in regional perspectives involving antibiotics, investigate how antibiotic use is monitored, and review the current science behind alternatives to antibiotics. The registration fee for this invaluable, well-timed conference is $150 and will also include admission to the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).

"Animal welfare and the production of a safe food supply are prime concerns for all growers and processors. This conference aims to provide scientific, well-researched antibiotic data from global experts, so that attendees can gain a greater understanding about the risks and benefits. There are differences in the way regions of the world view antibiotic usage. However, we all want the same thing – to ensure that poultry producers can continue to bring safe, nutritional, affordable food to tables across America and the world," stated John Starkey, president of USPOULTRY.

Program topics include Current State of Affairs Regarding Antibiotics – How We Got to Where We Are, How We Currently Use Antibiotics; Antibiotic Resistance – Science Behind Antibiotic Resistance, How Is It Being Monitored (NARMS), How Is Data Being Used? Is There a Disconnect Between Use in Animals Compared to Antibiotic Resistance in Humans? Is the Issue Consumer or Government Driven?; Alternatives to Antibiotics; and Future of Antibiotic Usage – Industry & FDA Perspective.

The 2013 IPPE, one of the world's largest poultry, feed, and meat industry events, will be held from

January 29-31, 2013, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. The Antibiotics Conference – Current Issues for the Poultry and Egg Industry program will be on Wednesday, January 30, and Thursday, January 31, from 8 – 11:30 a.m. The conference agenda can be viewed at www.ipe13.org.

Antibiotics Conference – Current Issues for the Poultry & Egg Industry

International Production & Processing Expo

Wednesday, January 30, 2013: 8 – 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, January 31, 2013: 8 – 11:30 a.m.

Room B-401 & B-402