Antibiotics in hide preservation and bacterial control

The use of antibiotics requires careful deliberation regarding both the criteria for their selection and the methodology of their application. Certain widely available antibiotics, including Doxycycline HCl, have demonstrated activity for short-term preservation of fresh hides. By eliminating the requirement of dry salt or brine curing, there are potential major benefits from reduced environmental burden. When used in the soak, such antibiotics may prove to be an economical alternative to conventional antimicrobials currently used for this purpose. However, evaluation of the use of clinically significant antibiotics must take into consideration other factors besides efficacy in hide preservation or bacterial protection during soaking. In particular, we must consider potential long-term risks associated with non-therapeutic applications of molecules that have been shown to be effective human antibiotics. Before adopting widespread use of clinical antibiotics in hide preservation and soaking, it would be sensible to weigh the benefits and the potential consequences of such uses in the broadest context of global health, politics, and business decision-making. This paper will explore the use of antibiotics in industry and will discuss widely differing viewpoints on the subject. The widespread use of antibiotics for promotion of the general health and growth of food-producing animals will be reviewed. Such uses account for approximately 70% of the antibiotics and other antimicrobials used in the United States and are the subject of vigorous ongoing debate. Antibiotic usage for hide preservation and soaking protection will likely undergo similar scrutiny. Clear guidance has been provided by the World Health Organization Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics. Adoption of these policies by nations around the world is occurring at a slow yet measured pace. Industrial uses of antibiotics offer obvious immediate environmental benefits, offset by possible long-term compromised viability against significant human diseases. This disparity presents members of the hide and leather industries with an interesting opportunity to test Environment, Safety and Health Policies, as well as Corporate Vision.