"Through combined efforts across Government and industry, we continue to make progress in reducing the use of antibiotics in animals, which is vital for public and animal health" -- Abi Seager, VMD CEO. 

Figures show a 57 per cent decline over the past decade.

A new government report shows sales of veterinary antibiotics in the UK are at a record low. 

Figures from the Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance (VARRS) Report, published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), show a 57 per cent decrease in UK antibiotic sales for livestock. 

This means the UK remains one of the lowest prescribers of veterinary antibiotics in Europe, and that it has achieved some of the biggest reductions in AMR in the past year.

Significantly, data published earlier this year from the Animal Plant and Health Agency confirms a strong link between reduced antibiotic use and reduced AMR in animals, supported by a decade of surveillance data. 

The report shows clear declines in resistance, including healthy animals at slaughter, and sustained reductions in antibiotic sales for use in cats and dogs — reflecting efforts to improve stewardship across the sector. 

Usage within the trout and salmon sectors is also at its lowest to date. 

Conversely, the use of antibiotics in the pig and game bird sectors has increased, highlighting a need for renewed action across the farming sector. 

The report notes an unexpected increase increase in E. coli in chickens bred and raised for meat production, despite reduced antibiotics use. However, there has been no increase in multi-drug resistance or resistance to the highest-priority antibiotics.

VMD CEO Abi Seager said: “This year’s report shows that through the ongoing hard work of vets and farmers across the UK we can make real progress in the fight against AMR.
 
“Overall use of antibiotics in livestock remains at its lowest level and importantly use of the most critical antibiotics for human health remains extremely low. This is reflected in results from our AMR surveillance programmes, which show an encouraging picture of AMR reducing in animals.” 

Minister for biosecurity, borders and animal welfare, Baroness Hayman, added: “Through combined efforts across Government and industry we continue to make progress in reducing the use of antibiotic in animals, which is vital for public and animal health.”
 
“We remain committed to leading the global fight against antimicrobial resistance and to maintaining our place as one of the lowest users of veterinary antibiotics across Europe, so future generations can benefit.”

Image (C) Aleksander Malivuk/Shutterstock.