The overuse of antibiotics in farm animals

Philip Lymbery, our Chief Executive, says: “While the dangers of overusing antibiotics in human medicine are well documented, the impact of farm use and the associated spread of resistant bacteria into humans has been generally under-publicised – which is surprising, given that animals currently account for around 45% of UK antibiotic use.

“The causal link between on-farm antibiotic use and human resistance is nevertheless widely recognised by organisations including the WHO and the EFSA. There are already concerns that farm animals contribute to the 5,000 deaths a year in England caused by resistant E. coli bloodstream infections.”

The Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics is encouraging retailers to review standards for meat and animal products and to set clear specifications around the use of antibiotics and good animal husbandry. The following specifications should be set for nationally sourced UK meat and animal products in the first instance, followed by a widening of these specifications throughout the supply chain to ensure this covers imported meat:

No modern cephalosporins used in pig production, poultry production or for dry-cow therapy. No off-label use of these antibiotics in any species.
No fluoroquinolones used in poultry – including off-label use.
Producers must demonstrate plans to phase out routine prophylactic on-farm use of antibiotics. This should include a commitment to stop all mass medication in feed or drinking water where no disease has been diagnosed in any of the animals in the group being treated.

The discovery of MRSA in British retail pork is a worrying sign which highlights the need for urgent action to address antibiotic use in farming. Routine prophylactic use of antibiotics to treat groups of animals - when no disease has been diagnosed - is a practice which cannot continue. Disease prevention should achieved through a focus on good hygiene and husbandry. These findings show that humans are far from immune to the risk posed by overuse of antibiotics on our farms and the associated rise of drug resistance in animals.

Kerry McCarthy MP

Take Action

The Government must stop antibiotics being used to prop up factory farming:

MRSA found in British pig meat