McDonald's is the first major fast-food chain to take such a step.

The decision by the world's biggest restaurant company came after a year of consultations with environmental, science and consumer groups that had pushed for cutbacks. Those organizations hope the move by one of the largest meat buyers marks a turning point in the way American farmers raise animals.

The policy does not prohibit the use of antibiotics to treat sick livestock. It is aimed instead at antibiotics routinely given to animals to promote growth.

McDonald's is telling its direct suppliers - those that control all stages of animal production - to phase out such antibiotics by the end of 2004. Direct suppliers provide most of McDonald's poultry and 20 percent of its meat.

Direct suppliers will be checked periodically and will be asked to certify every year that they are complying.

The company also is offering incentives to indirect suppliers of beef and pork to follow the policy.

Doctors are increasingly confronting germs that have become antibiotic-resistant. Many scientists believe that the overuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock is causing many drugs to lose their effectiveness by speeding up the rate at which bacteria become resistant.

The animal drug industry, however, argues that using antibiotics on farm animals makes food safer.

"As a company committed to social responsibility, we take seriously our obligation to understand the emerging science of antibiotic resistance and to work with our suppliers to foster real, tangible changes in our own supply community and hopefully beyond," said Frank Muschetto, a McDonald's senior vice president.

"McDonald's is asking producers that supply over 2.5 billion pounds of chicken, beef and pork annually to take actions that will ultimately help protect public health."

Environmental and consumer groups praised the company.

"McDonald's new policy demonstrates that reducing antibiotic use is both feasible and affordable," said Gwen Ruta of Environmental Defense, which worked with the fast-food chain on the changes.

The Coalition for Animal Health, made up of trade groups representing the animal production, animal feed and animal health products industries, disputed the reasoning behind the new policy.

It said disease rates have risen in Europe since the use of antibiotics as growth promoters were sharply lowered there.

The Union for Concerned Scientists said McDonald's should have gone even further by addressing antibiotics used for disease prevention.

According to the scientists' group, an estimated 70 percent of antibiotics and related drugs in the United States are given to healthy pigs, cows and chickens to promote growth and prevent disease.

(eastday.com June 21, 2003)