UK Sales of Antibiotics for Animals Dropped 9 Per Cent Last Year

Sales of antibiotics for use in animals in the UK are at a four-year low, putting the UK on track to meet ambitious targets to tackle antibiotic resistance, according to a report released last week, which was World Antibiotic Awareness week.

The report shows overall sales by weight dropped by 9 per cent from 2014 to 2015, while sales for use in food-producing animals dropped 10 per cent from 62 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) to 56mg/kg. This continues a ten-year downward trend and puts the UK on track to reach its 50mg/kg target by 2018.

As well as the overall reduction, the report shows a drop in sales of the highest priority antibiotics that are critically important for human medicine. Sales of these made up just over 1 per cent of all antibiotics sold for use in animals in 2015.

Defra Minister for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity, Lord Gardiner, welcomed the report’s findings, saying: "Antibiotic resistance is the biggest threat to modern medicine and we must act now to help keep antibiotics effective for future generations. This report shows the hard work of our vets and farmers is already making a real impact." – Click here to read more.

Meanwhile, a new report on the health and welfare of cattle in Britain from the Cattle Health and Welfare Group (CHAWG) highlighted the progress made on issues such as mastitis, lameness and longevity as well as tackling antimicrobial resistance.

The Chief Veterinary Officers of UK, Scotland and Wales welcomed the publication of the report, saying that as the possible impacts of leaving the EU are considered, the importance of a focus on disease control is as important as ever.

“The healthier our animals, the more attractive our products. The better our animal welfare, the greater the confidence of consumers in our production systems,” the Veterinary Officers said – read more.