We need to preserve antibiotics for our health today, and tomorrow.
The Keep Antibiotics Working (KAW) Coalition fights against the spread of antibiotic-resistant "superbugs." Formed in 2001, KAW is a coalition of advocacy groups that joined to ensure that untreatable superbugs resulting from the overuse of antibiotics on farms do not reverse the medical advances of the past century. This year we are celebrating 20 years of advocacy and efforts to fight antibiotic resistance. Please see our latest report below to learn more about our accomplishments and our plans for the future.
Keep Antibiotics Working celebrates 20 years:
For 20 years, the KAW coalition has led the fight to stop the overuse of antibiotics on factory farms. To learn more about KAW’s important mission and advocacy efforts, please read our online anniversary brochure.
To stop the spread of antibiotic resistant superbugs, KAW supports the following four actions:
1. KAW demands a ban on using antibiotics on the farm for purposes other than treating sick or injured animals or for controlling diagnosed outbreaks of disease.
2. KAW expects farms to prevent disease by providing appropriate diets, delaying weaning, improving hygiene, reducing crowding, and using vaccines appropriately-so that antibiotic use on farm is rare not routine.
3. KAW supports the creation of a federal program to systematically collect species specific data on why farms use antibiotics and in what amounts.
4. KAW supports collecting data on the spread of resistant superbugs in the food system through the federal National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, a joint program of the FDA, USDA, and CDC that looks for superbugs in animals, food, and sick people.
Coalition members
Find out about our organization, mission, our methods, and the results of our decades of advocacy.
Our accomplishments
KAW has had a major impact on the safety of the food you eat today.