Europe reduces farm antibiotics sales by one-third
© Tim Scrivener New figures show that across Europe, sales of antibiotics for farm animals reduced by more than a third between 2011 and 2018.
The 2018 report from the European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption (Esvac) showed that the UK continued to have the fifth-lowest sales in Europe, at 71% less than the EU average in terms of mg/PCU (see table for definition).
Cat McLaughlin, chair of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (Ruma) alliance, said: “It’s very positive to see this downward trend across almost all countries, not just in terms of total sales but also the highest-priority antibiotics – third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and colistin.
See also: The 2017 antibiotic reduction targets for each livestock sector
“While the use of antibiotics in food production is not the main driver of antibiotic resistant infections in people, it can be a contributing factor,” she said. “Any use of an antibiotic has the potential to create resistance and, as part of a One Health approach, we all have a duty to protect the efficacy of medical and veterinary antibiotics by reducing, refining or replacing use.”
Where next?
UK-specific figures for farm animal antibiotics sales are due to be released soon. Mrs McLaughlin said some sectors did see a small increase in antibiotic use in 2019 as a result of new disease and environmental challenges, but overall the UK was in a good place.
“While these challenges are likely to be reflected in the 2019 sales data out shortly, the improvements in husbandry, management and responsible use that underpin the broader direction of travel are proving robust and widely beneficial,” she added.
The 2020 targets set by the Ruma targets taskforce in 2017 will also be reviewed shortly, with new targets for 2021-2024 to be announced in November.
Sales of antibiotics in the UK and across Europe in 2016-18
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UK average (mg/PCU)* |
EU country average (mg/PCU) |
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2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Total Use |
39 |
32.5 |
29.5 |
124.6 |
107.0 |
103.2 |
|
Fluoroquinolones |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
2.7 |
2.4 |
2.5 |
|
Third- and fourth-gen cephalosporins |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
Polymyxins (colistin) |
0.02 |
<0.01 |
<0.01 |
6.4 |
3.6 |
3.4 |
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*The mg/PCU is a unit of measurement developed by the European Medicines Agency to monitor antibiotic use and sales across Europe, which has also been adopted by the UK in its national reports. PCU stands for Population Correction Unit and takes into account the animal population as well as the estimated weight of each particular animal at the time of treatment with antibiotics. Source: Esvac |
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