Ractopamine

Conclusion

despite the positive attributes of ractopamine usage, serious changes are necessary to sustain the U.S.'s international trade and agricultural reputation

Possible Solutions/recommendations

Our Stance

Refer back to the pros and cons

• make the drug accessible to producers only after recommendation by veternarians
• place further limitations on the continued implementation of Ractopamine
• conduct further studies to better determine the long term ramifications of ractopamine on livestock and humans

• extra growth achieved as a result of Ractopamine use puts more money in producers' pockets and increases global meat supply
• negative health effects and global trade implications could seriously cripple the U.S. agricultural industry if not addressed.

Reasons for Current Situation

Describe the current situation

• Incomplete/dishonest research reports downplayed side effects of ractopamine use in market animals
• lack of long-term research coupled with current federal standards allowed for initial approval

Federal Standards

• currently, Ractopamine is sold over-the-counter to farmers and ranchers
• in recent years, there have been increased reports of animal and human health issues linked to ractopamine use

Health Concerns

• loose federal standards resulted in loopholes which Elanco easily navigated
• no long term studies required prior to approval for over-the-counter distribution
• no veternarian approval needed for purchase of product

Dishonesty

• no veterinary approval or recommendation is needed to purchase the drug
• increased reports of animal health problems such as lameness, downer pigs, and death
• cardiovascular problems and poisoning in humans linked to ractopamine

Foreign Relations

• Elanco was responsible for conducting its own research prior to FDA approval
• hid some research from FDA officials that would have resulted in negative implications

Incomplete Research

• currently banned by the majority of countries
• increasingly limited export markets as a result of ractopamine (Paylean) utilization
• threat of an imminent trade war

Economics

• no long term studies were conducted to observe potential effects on the human population
• no long term studies conducted to observe long term residue found within the meat

• as a result of strained trade relations, fewer importers means less money for U.S. producers
• exacerbates the current economic climate and downturn
• economic stalemate

International Controversy

• important international considerations
• economic ramifications
• foreign relations
• export markets

Pro

Con

• for export to countries with no ban in place, increased growth results in increased profits for U.S. agriculture
• economic gains stimulate the economy as ractopamine accounts for over $1 billion in increased yields annually

• majority of countries ban ractopamine use or purchase of animals containing ractopamine residue
• European Union and China consume 70% of pork produced in U.S.- ractopamine is banned by all countries in the E.U. and China
• economic and trade disadvantage

Musculoskeletal Effects

• sustained growth prior to slaughter
• most common side effect is muscular tremors
• downer pigs
• lame animals

Pro

Con

• increased growth prior to slaughter
• increases economic bottom line for producers
• increase in the amount of meat produced with fewer animals

• lame animals or downer pigs negatively effect the food supply
• animal health/cruelty charges
• bottom line negatively effected
• negative response from consumers, non-agriculturalists and international lobbyists

Cardiovascular Effects

• linked to cardiovascular side effects in both animals and humans
• increased heart rate and blood pressure within the first hour following dosage

Pro

Con

• increased blood flow and circulation
• returns to baseline levels fairly quickly
• not a chronic issue

• can result in death, especially within the swine industry
• resulting from a combination of PSS and increased heart rate
• resulting deaths significantly effect the economic bottom linen for producers and U.S. trade

What if we do nothing?

• consider economic results both in the short and long terms
• consider the possible effect on foreign relations and global trade

Pro

Con

• livestock producers continue to increase annual profits
• agricultural lobbyists are successful in promoting the U.S. agricultural industry
• increased animal growth results in more meat production

• potential international trade war
• possible economic downturn as a result of bans in foreign markets
• producers lose money
• continued decline in animal health

What is Ractopamine??

• a controversial, over-the-counter, beta agonist feed additive fed to cattle, pigs, and turkeys prior to slaughter to promote animal growth.
• marketed under the name Paylean for pigs
• marketed under the name Optaflexx for cattle

recommendation

current dilemmas

Explain your goals

• modified requirements for the distribution of ractopamine
• further studies to monitor potential effects on animals and humans
• revised standards of acceptability for use of ractopamine based on more up to date and accurate studies

• educate the general public in regards to common drugs utilized within the food supply
• explore the positive and negative ramifications of ractopamine use in cattle, swine, and poultry

• government agencies favor continued ractopamine use despite growing concerns
• increasingly negative feedback and action from global trade entities
• animal health and animal cruelty concerns

Ractopamine

Based on Jim Harvey's speech structures