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Executive Director’s Report...

published: March 5th 2010
by: Bill Hyman
source: ICA Of Texas

I just finished attending another meeting at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) concerning the disposal of unused pharmaceutical drugs. The federal government has mandated that the TCEQ survey the users of pharmaceuticals to determine how the unused drugs are disposed. Of course, after Katie Courick’s  CBS Special exaggerated the use of antibiotics in the pork industry, this is a hot topic for state and federal regulators. ICA was part of the survey because as caretakers of livestock we use a small portion of the overall supply of pharmaceuticals which are dispensed in our country. ICA and several other agriculture groups were present to explain how few pharmaceuticals we actually consume in our industry. Compared to the amount of drugs taken by humans in the United States, agriculture usage is minor. Never the less, the spotlight is on us because of animal activists and others whom are looking to lay the blame on you and me to promote their agenda.
    If you stop and think about it, compare the amount of animal pharmaceuticals dispensed by your veterinarian to the waiting line at the Wal-Mart pharmacy. Unfortunately, the proper statistics and the bare facts have not reached Washington D.C. Produc-tion agriculture, hospitals, nursing homes and other pharmaceutical users take special care to make sure the unused drugs do not reach the environment. Our government, on the other hand, tells homemakers/parents to pour unused or out of date drugs down the drain to keep them out of the reach of children. It is certainly frustrating at times, when we have to constantly defend our profession but in order to stay in the ranching business we must stay tuned and be present.
    So the next time you receive a renewal notice for dues or we ask you to help recruit new members, just remember that it is much better to be a member of an organization that has your best interest foremost than to have to drive to Austin and attend the myriad of different meetings to speak for yourself.