Antibiotic use in pig farming cut by 75 per cent
The effort aims to promote the health and welfare of pigs while minimising antibiotic use
The UK pig industry has succeeded in reducing its antibiotic use by 75 per cent through an eight-year effort.
The latest data from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), collected using the electronic Medicine Book (eMB), shows a 20 per cent reduction in antibiotic use in UK pig farms in 2022, bringing the total reduction to 75 per cent since 2015.
This also means that the UK pig industry has surpassed the 30 per cent reduction target set by RUMA (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture) for 2020-2024.
The achievement was the result of collaboration between farmers, veterinarians and key stakeholders in the pig industry, which aimed to promote the health and welfare of pigs while minimising antibiotic use.
The data, representing 95 per cent of pigs slaughtered in the UK, shows antibiotic use to be 70mg /PCU in 2022, compared to 87mg/PCU in 2021.
The results will be analysed and shared with several key stakeholders, enabling the industry to identify opportunities for optimising individual antibiotic usage.
AHDB head of animal health & welfare Dr Mandy Nevel said: “Farmers and vets should be extremely proud of the work they have done to demonstrate a responsible approach to antibiotic use. The extensive data set collated over the last eight years has provided robust evidence of progress and has helped vets and farmers work collaboratively to make changes on farm and monitor that progress.
"The eMB was an industry initiative facilitated by the Pig Health and Welfare Council, and over the last eight years, champions of the system, both farmers and vets, have led the industry on the road to responsible antibiotic use. It is wonderful to see what the industry collective can and has achieved.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
