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Often antibiotics traces in the flesh - black light makes it visible
The use of antibiotics in animal husbandry represents an enormous health hazard for us humans. Through the mass use of the remedies, resistance is promoted. When such drugs stop working, even small infections can become a major risk. The environmental protection organization Greenpeace now draws attention to the problem during an information tour.
Antibiotics in meat
Over the past few years, research has repeatedly shown that meat is far too often contained in antibiotics. However, this is not noted on the packaging, nor can you tell the meat that it contains drug residues. The environmental organization Greenpeace wants to change that now. Since July 21, the experts have been touring through 32 German cities, exposing antibiotic residues in cheap meat to black light.
The environmental protection organization Greenpeace is currently on an information tour through German cities. The experts make antibiotics in cheap meat visible to consumers. (Image: marioav / fotolia.com) Millions killed by multidrug-resistant germs
The increase in antibiotic resistance is posing a growing challenge for healthcare. When such drugs stop working, even small infections can become a major risk.
If the problem is not brought under control soon, according to researchers threatens a horror scenario. According to an earlier study by the Berlin Charité, there could be around 10 million deaths from multidrug-resistant germs by 2050.
Probably the most important point in the fight against antibiotic resistance is to reduce the mass use of such drugs.
Because the excessive use of antibiotics in humans and in animal feed and improper ingestion of drugs promotes resistance.
Harmful consequences of factory farming
Greenpeace is currently touring with extensive information on the harmful effects of factory farming in 32 German cities. The environmentalists will stand in front of branches of the low-price meat supplier Lidl.
Residues of antibiotics used can be detected under a black light lamp. Passers-by can see for themselves, according to a statement from the organization.
"The careless use of antibiotics in factory farming is a threat to human health," says Greenpeace agricultural expert Christiane Huxdorff.
"Only better animal husbandry with fewer antibiotics can stop the malformation. We need a turn away from cheap meat to fair conditions and fair prices for producers. "
Residues in pig bones detectable
According to Greenpeace, about 800 tons of antibiotics are used in German stables, as in human medicine. The high level of commitment ensures that more and more germs are formed that are resistant to common antibiotics.
As a result, around 25,000 people die each year in Europe alone. The problem is so pressing that the World Health Organization warns of a "post-antibiotic age" and calls for swift and decisive action against increasing resistance.
The residues of some antibiotics are detectable in the pig bones.
Most of the pigs are not kept appropriately
According to Greenpeace, the agricultural industry mainly relies on industrial mass production at the lowest possible prices. Lidl also lures customers with cheap meat products into its stores.
The low price has a massive impact on production standards as farmers have less money to spend on good livestock farming.
According to a legal opinion, which has been commissioned by Greenpeace, more than 90 percent of pigs in Germany are held unlawfully and not species-appropriate.
Large-scale livestock farming also causes large amounts of liquid manure, which pollute the groundwater so much that the EU is already suing the federal government before the European Court of Justice.
"The consequences of the cheap price policy of discounters like Lidl are fatal. This is depletion of human health, the animals and the environment, "says Huxdorff. (Ad)