Roadmap sets out ruminant antibiotics data strategy
RCVS Knowledge warns of 'serious consequences' from the lack of ABS data in the ruminant sector.
A new antibiotic stewardship (ABS) roadmap has been launched to challenge a ‘data gap’ within the ruminant sectors.
Announced at the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) Congress, the roadmap sets out goals including a minimum national dataset and better use of the antibiotic data that is already collected. It also plans support for veterinary-led reviews, which it says will lead to ‘stronger farm-vet relationships’.
RCVS Knowledge says that the ruminant sector has made ‘substantial’ voluntary progress on ABS, with antibiotic use remaining ‘relatively low’ in many systems.
However, it says that, without robust national usage data, the ruminant sectors could not consistently demonstrate any progress. It warns that a lack of accurate data could lead to severe consequences across trade, public trust and medicine access.
The roadmap and its corresponding report is the result of cross-sector collaboration, including stakeholders from across all the ruminant sectors and all nations of the UK.
To inform the roadmap, RCVS Knowledge led a programme of mixed-methods research. This was conducted in partnership with the ABS roadmap steering group and Royal Veterinary College researchers of the AMR in Agrifood Systems Transdisciplinary (AMAST) Network.
The findings were then presented at a national summit on 30 June 2026.
Delegates then discussed the barriers to and facilitators of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship in the ruminant sector. Their ideas have formed the new roadmap.
RCVS Knowledge says that its roadmap will address the barriers which have ‘frustrated progress for years’, including potentially excessive data requirements, fragmented leadership and concerns about the farmer-vet relationship. It says that a co-ordinated, whole-industry approach is essential for the sector.
The roadmap’s key recommendations are:
• A UK-wide minimum dataset and a national reporting framework with flexibility for devolved nations
• Use anonymised AMU data supplied by dispensing veterinary practices and pharmacies
• Annual, veterinary-led farm reviews, based on trusted and confidential farmer-veterinarian conversations, underpinned by more detailed data.
• Use these reviews to support continuous improvement in disease resilience, biosecurity, vaccination, diagnostics and husbandry.
Fiona Lovatt, co-chair of the initiative and farm medicines clinical lead at RCVS Knowledge said: “UK ruminant farming has made substantial progress on antibiotic stewardship, but until we can demonstrate how antibiotics are being used, we cannot fully substantiate claims about responsible use – or see clearly where further improvement is needed.
“We have spent a long time discussing the difficulties of collecting these data. This work gives us a practical way forward: be clear about what we actually need nationally, make better use of data already being collected, and ensure more detailed information delivers value back to farmers and their vets.”
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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. 
