Antibiotics rules create buzz for bee doctors

By BEN MUIR
Capital News Service
LANSING — Michigan State University is hunting for veterinarians willing to treat bees. MSU’s Pollinator Initiative launched the search after a recent Food and Drug Administration decision outlawing over-the-counter antibiotics for all food-producing animals went into effect this year. Medication for cows, pigs, chickens and bees is no longer available over the counter after low levels of antibiotics were detected in the food. “The concern is that if it’s not well-regulated, antibiotics can get in the food supply, and then people get low doses,” said Meghan Milbrath, a beekeeper of 23 years and a research associate in the MSU Department of Entomology. “And all of sudden you are resistant to those antibiotics.