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MAFF: Antibiotic use still falling

- 19 February 2001
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19 February 2001



MAFF: Antibiotic use still falling

By FWi staff

ANTIBIOTIC use in farm animals is continuing to fall, according to new Government figures.

Sales of antibiotics for use in animals destined for the food chain fell by 21% in 1999 compared to 1998, reports the Ministry of Agriculture.

Antibiotic sales peaked in 1996 and have declined in successive years since then.

Ministers say this shows its strategy to reduce antibiotic use in veterinary medicine, animal production, agriculture and horticulture is succeeding.

The strategy was introduced after it emerged that antibiotics given to animals can result in resistant bacteria which may infect humans.

In response, last March the Government announced the development of a coherent strategy aimed at reducing veterinary use of antibiotics.

Junior farm minister Baroness Hayman said the figures show that the Government is succeeding in getting across its message.

“These are the lowest sales figures of any of the seven years for which we have published data, and show that the farming industry is responding to concerns associated with antibiotic use.”

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has been collating information on sales of antibiotics and other antimicrobial products.

The strategy also includes surveillance to determine the prevalence of resistant organisms in animals and guidelines on encourage prudent antimicrobial use.

Ministers are also trying to encourage livestock management systems that reduce the use of antimicrobials, review doses and contribute to EU guidelines.

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