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UK veterinary antibiotic sales halved since 2014
Sales of the Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics in animals have fallen by 79 per cent since 2014.

The VMD’s latest findings show sales have dropped 52 per cent in six years.

Sales of veterinary antibiotics in the UK have more than halved over the past six years, according to a report published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

The 2020 UK-Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance and Sales Surveillance (UK-VARSS) report shows that sales for food-producing animals have fallen 52 per cent since 2014. Furthermore, sales of the Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HP-CIAs) in animals have fallen by 79 per cent since 2014.

HP-CIAs, which are crucial for human medicine, only accounted for 0.5 per cent of the total antibiotic sales in 2020. The report also reveals reductions in the pig, chicken, turkey and gamebird sectors since 2019.
 
According to the VMD, the UK has achieved some of the lowest levels, and biggest reductions, in resistance in livestock across Europe. E. coli carrying resistance genes to HP-CIAs continue to decrease, it said. 

“Working closely with the farming industry and the veterinary profession, we have achieved huge reductions in the use of antibiotics since 2014, and we are seeing reductions in resistance as well,” commented Abigail Seager, chief executive of the VMD. “These successes are testament to the cooperation between farmers and vets in promoting the responsible use of antibiotics.”

Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, added: “This year’s VARSS report shows how the UK continues to make important reductions in antibiotic use in livestock across the board.

“It is encouraging to see farmers and vets continuing to work together to tackle antibiotic resistance through the responsible use of antibiotics, which in turn protects human health as well as reducing the burden of disease in animals. We are committed to protecting animal health, and we will continue to work closely with industry and the veterinary profession on this important issue.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.