Sales of antibiotics have fallen 40% in five years

Treatment by farmers plummets as more opt to vaccinate stock

Sales of antibiotics for food-producing animals have fallen by 40% in the UK since 2013 with only 30% of the country’s antibiotics now being used to treat disease in farm animals.

Both of these figures are headlined in a new review published by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (Ruma) Alliance, which notes that the UK is now one of the lowest farm antibiotic users in the EU.

The report focuses on which UK livestock sectors are doing well and which still have challenges. It also seeks to assess progress against individual sector targets which producers are attempting to meet by 2020.

“What this review shows is that industry as a whole is committed and making good progress, but also that the various sectors are all in very different places,” said Ruma’s secretary general Chris Lloyd.

While pig farmers are on track to meet their 2020 reductions, the review notes that a lack of data on antibiotic use in cattle and sheep continues to be a challenge for those sectors.

Mr Lloyd said: “If they had access to better data, this would give them more clarity over what is actually being used, and when and where improvements could be made.”

The review also said reducing antibiotic usage in farming must be done responsibly, without

Vaccination should be part of every farmer’s plan to protect animal health

compromising welfare.

Another industry report, also newlypublished, shows that dairy and beef farmers are making more use of vaccines, with a 15% increase in vaccine doses sold for use in cattle between 2011 and 2017.

“Strategic vaccination should be part of every farmer’s plan to protect animal health,” said Derek Armstrong, leader on veterinary matters at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

“Vaccines have an important part to play in helping to meet the industry targets to use antibiotics more prudently, to reduce disease and improve animal welfare and performance.” animal health or

Picture: Getty Images More farmers are taking the proactive option of vaccinating livestock, lowering antibiotic use.