Day 091 - 17 Feb 95 - Page 31
1 at the moment we are using a combination of Trimethoprim
2 and Sulphadiazine which is marketed as Synutrim.
3
4 Q. Trimethoprim is widely used in the broiler industry, is it
5 not?
6 A. The combination of Trimethoprim and Sulphadiazine in
7 combination is fairly widely used.
8
9 Q. It is used to combat coli septicaemia?
10 A. Yes.
11
12 Q. Coccidiosis?
13 A. It would be not be effective for coccidiosis, no.
14
15 Q. And salmonella.
16 A. It could be used for salmonella.
17
18 Q. How long have you been using that particular combination?
19 A. We have been using it for about 18 months, not
20 continuously, but as our main antibiotic and, as I said
21 before, we do vary and we do make a change from time to
22 time, but that we find the most effective.
23
24 Q. The chicks would get those antibiotics in their feed for
25 the whole week?
26 A. For the first week of life.
27
28 Q. Why did you introduce the use of antibiotics 18 months ago?
29 A. We have always used an antibiotic in the starter off
30 and on over the years. Furazolodone has been the standard
31 one used in the industry.
32
33 Q. Has that one been used by Sun Valley?
34 A. Yes, that has been used for many years.
35
36 Q. Is it still used?
37 A. No, it is not.
38
39 Q. When did you stop using that?
40 A. About a year ago.
41
42 Q. Is there growing concern that Trimethoprim -- that
43 bacteria, particularly salmonella bacteria, are resistant
44 to that drug?
45 A. There is a strain of salmonella which has been found
46 which has resistance to a number of antibiotics. It has
47 been found in the human population and my understanding is
48 that it is as a result of the excessive use of antibiotics
49 in human beings. There is no evidence to suggest that that
50 there is substantial resistance in the animal population
51 and certainly I have not found it.
52
53 Q. When you say "substantial" what do you mean, there is some
54 resistance?
55 A. There is some resistance in certain strains of
56 salmonella that have been isolated from human beings.
57
58 Q. Right. What is the name of that Trimethoprim when it is
59 used for humans then, or the equivalent, the connected one?
60 A. I think the Trimethoprim in human beings is ----
