Pig producers achieve 72% drop in antibiotics use

UK pig farmers have slashed antibiotic use by 10% in a single year, bringing overall use down by 72% in a decade.

Data captured by the electronic Medicines Book (eMB) from about 94% of commercial pig producers shows that in 2025 total antibiotic use in pigs fell to 77.2 mg/PCU.

Improvements in herd health, a tightening of biosecurity and advances in management practices have all contributed, meaning fewer pigs need to be treated.

See also: 6 ways to manage antibiotics usage in pigs

Mandy Nevel, head of animal health and welfare at the AHDB, said: “The latest results show that responsible antibiotic use and high standards of pig health and welfare go hand-in-hand and maintaining that balance will remain a priority.”

Use had been expected to climb after the withdrawal in 2022 of zinc oxide, a product widely used to manage post-weaning diarrhoea.

There was a small short-term rise, but usage didn’t return to previous levels and, as in 2025, it has decreased again.

Disease pressures and changing production conditions continue to test the sector, but it is “well placed” to sustain progress, says Ms Nevel.

The National Pig Association (NPA) says that with further developments ongoing in the pig industry, such as a move away from use of antibiotics in feed to in-water, further reductions are achievable.

NPA chief policy adviser Katie Jarvis expects the downward trend to continue, but with the “odd spike” according to disease and weather patterns.

“I’m not saying there won’t be challenges when there are health issues, but the whole trend is downwards and we will keep driving forward, treating pigs only when needed, and not treating when it is not necessary.”

All Red Tractor Pork members are required to record quarterly antibiotics information on the eMB, an electronic version of the paper medicines book.