> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Petitions Urge Congressional Action on Antibiotics Legislation
- URL: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/08/petitions-attempt-to-prompt-congressional-action-to-antibiotics-legislation/
- Published: 2014-08-16T05:03:13.000Z
- Updated: 2018-07-31T03:02:13.000Z
- Author: News Desk
- Tags: Food Policy & Law, Government Agencies, antibiotic resistance, Food Policy Action, Mark Hyman, PAMTA, petition, Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-25 08:58

[![](http://foodsafetynewsfullservice.marlersites.com/files/2014/08/Signature_406x250-1.jpg "http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-pen-signature-white-closeup-image40330193")](http://foodsafetynewsfullservice.marlersites.com/files/2014/08/Signature%5F406x250-2.jpg?ref=foodsafetynews.com)

Like many other bills introduced in Congress in recent years, movement on the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA) and the Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act (PARA) has stagnated. Two weeks ago, Dr. Mark Hyman introduced [a petition](https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/tell-congressional-republicans-stop-the-use-of-antibiotics-in-factory-farms?ref=foodsafetynews.com) on Credo Mobilize to get Congress to pay attention to the two bills. As of Wednesday, Aug. 13, his petition had more than 128,000 signatures. Food Policy Action has launched [a similar petition](http://act.foodpolicyaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action%5FKEY=14413&ref=foodsafetynews.com), which has about 2,900 signatures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotic-resistant infections sicken at least 2 million people every year, and more than 23,000 die as a result. [PAMTA](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1150?ref=foodsafetynews.com) in the House of Representatives and [PARA](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s1256?ref=foodsafetynews.com) in the Senate would ban non-therapeutic uses of medically important antibiotics in food animal production. “In my practice and in doctors \[sic\] offices across the country, antibiotic treatments are becoming less and less effective,” Hyman wrote on his petition. “In fact, nearly every major medical organization has called for ending the use of antibiotics in large-scale livestock production.” PAMTA and PARA “would stem the use of antibiotic treatment in factory farms and help prevent the problem from getting even worse,” he continued. [City councils across the country](https://www.foodsafetynews.com/pittsburgh-passes-resolution-to-ban-non-therapeutic-use-of-antibiotics-in-livestock/) have also been trying to prompt congressional action. So far, 14 cities including Chicago, St. Paul, Seattle and Pittsburgh, have passed resolutions to encourage Congress to pass PAMTA. The consumer rights group [Food & Water Watch](http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/factoryfarms/antibiotics/campaign-to-save-antibiotics/?ref=foodsafetynews.com) has been instrumental in such efforts to move the legislation through Congress.