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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 10th November 2021
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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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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.