I completely agree with this law. While I believe in free markets and lower regulation in general, I believe that this is an appropriate use of government authority because it protects the environment and health of everyone in a very real way. I wish that the government would have stepped in years ago, but because of croneyism with factory farming they have allowed them to continue appalling practices. Many of the most deadly antibiotic resistant bacteria, such as E Coli 157:H7 and the new strain of MRSA in the UK are directly linked to inappropriate antibiotic use in livestock. Once this stuff is mutated there is no going back, and something has to be done to slow the antibiotic resistance.
Yes, it will likely increase the price of factory farmed meat. You have to realize that the price of "factory" meat is artificially low due to government subsidization of the corn based food the animals eat and croney regulation (or lack of regulation in this case). Funny how people only like free markets when they aren't getting the government sponsored meal ticket.
Sigh.....
The reason why factory farmed meat is grown on such a large scale is because it is subsidized by government. It is being directly subsidized, and there is heavy subsidy on corn which brings down the price of factory farming.
If everything was on a level playing field, then consumers would have the option of paying something like:
$3.79/lb factory farm ground beef with hormones and anti-biotics
$3.99/lb grass-fed ground beef with no hormones and anti-biotics
OR
Local grass-fed cattle might be cheaper than shipping in factory farm ground beef, so it might end up being the same or cheaper for the good stuff!!
Most consumers wouldn't mind paying the extra $.20/lb for the good meat, anyway. McDonalds wouldn't have as big an edge on local burger places because they wouldn't have access to extra-low priced meat that is heavily subsidized, and the local burger places would more likely get the quality meat because the decision will not affect the bottom line as much. Also it might help them keep customers.
However currently, the price structure looks more like:
$2.99/lb factory farm ground beef
$3.99/lb grass-fed
That is a significant cost savings, even though most of it is made up for with higher taxes that everybody has to pay. Businesses have a much tougher decision to make.
The real answer is to get government out completely.. If I don't need a prescription for medicine, why should animals?