There are reports that some of the antibiotics sold in the market are fed to poultry and other livestock 45 growth promoters. Overusing these Substances can create superbugs, pathogens that are resistant to multiple drugs and could be passed along humans. Mindful of that,' some farming companies have stopped using the drugs to make chickens gain weight faster. Since Denmark banned antibiotic growth promoters in the 1990s, the major pork exporter says it is producing more pigs — and the animals get fewer diseases.

Correct Option (D)

The passage critically discusses the practice of administering antibiotics to livestock as growth promoters, emphasizing its role in fostering drug-resistant superbugs transmissible to humans. It references Denmark's successful experience, where a ban on antibiotic growth promoters led to increased pig production and fewer animal diseases. This illustrates that antibiotics are not indispensable for animal growth and should primarily be reserved for therapeutic applications, i.e., treating existing diseases.

Incorrect Options:

The passage focuses on the responsible and judicious use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, specifically condemning their application for growth promotion. It does not advocate for:

• Option (A): Avoiding all products of animal farming. The text suggests a change in farming practices, not a complete boycott of animal products.
• Option (B): Replacing foods of animal origin with foods of plant origin. The core message pertains to antibiotic stewardship within animal agriculture, not a dietary shift.
• Option (C): A complete ban on all antibiotic use in animals. While it strongly discourages antibiotic use for growth promotion, the passage implicitly acknowledges their continued necessity for treating actual diseases in livestock.