Big progress in reducing the antibiotics use reported in the UK
Since May 2016, when NPA published the Pig Industry Antibiotic Stewardship Programme outlining commitments to reduce, replace and refine antibiotic use in UK pig production, the whole industry, including producers, representative bodies, vets, feed and pharmaceutical companies, increased its efforts to address the antibiotic challenge, show the latest report.
According to data presented in NPA's report, in 2016, the volume of antibiotics administered to pigs in the UK dropped by 34% from 278 mg/PCU to 183 mg/PCU. This was followed by a further 28% reduction in 2017, to 131 mg/PCU. Overall, the UK pig industry has more than halved its antibiotic use within the last two years. Also, critically important antibiotics represented just 0.08% of total antibiotic use in pigs in 2017.
The quality of water and feed are extremely important in keeping the herd safe, said the report. Training and some other programs in hygiene and biosecurity have been delivered to farmers across Great Britain by authorities. "Farmers and vets are working together to improve biosecurity and disease control on farms to raise the overall health status of the national pig herd. The feed industry is also supporting the drive, working with producers to ensure optimum nutrition delivers benefits to pig health at the different stages of production", says the report.
The new target set by the pig industry is to reduce total antibiotic use by 62% over five years, to reach 99mg/PCU by 2020.
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