Alternatives spelt out
Alternatives spelt out
ALTHOUGH vets are reducing their use of antibiotics, there have been recent increases in antibiotic resistance to salmonella in pigs and E coli in sheep, pigs and poultry, said Rob Davies of the Vet Lab Agency, Weybridge.
To minimise resistance, he believes feed medication must be phased out, all growth promoters banned and greater emphasis placed on alternative medicines, preventative husbandry and vaccination to control disease.
"Mastitis is caused, in many cases, by shortfalls in husbandry and pneumonia in pigs can be reduced by minimising risk factors, such as lack of herd immunity and buying in animals."
However, improved bio-security will be helped by closer controls on the import of meat and animal feeds, he added. *