1980 (Lyons et al. 1980). Therefore, an emerging question is whether immunocompromised individuals with higher risk for exposure to food-animal microorganisms (such as farm families), pathogenic or not, constitute a sensitive population that should be monitored more closely for the emergence of antibiotic resistance from animals?

Since the inception of this report, there have been important changes in perceptions and priorities of federal agencies regarding animal antibiotic use. Those changes are reviewed, and the current focus of several of the federal agencies with responsibility for human or animal health and food safety is described. It appears that some steps are being taken to obtain data to better assess the risks associated with antibiotic use. A prominent part of the process is consideration of active partnering of many agencies and industries to use reduced resources more efficiently for solving problems.

There are risks associated with using antibiotics in animal production as well as not using them. The relationship between risks is dynamic, and the risks dealt with in this report could change, especially as more information is gathered. Through partnership and communication among stakeholders, the effect of the changing of risks inherent in the use of antibiotics can be identified and intervention strategies can be formulated before a true crisis develops.