The use of highest priority critically important antibiotics (HP-CIAs) in Northern Ireland dropped by 22% in 2019, a report from Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance and Sales Surveillance (VARSS) has shown.
Sales of these products are now 72% lower than 2015 levels. The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has welcomed the evidence of its continued use reduction in food-producing animal sectors.
UFU deputy president William Irvine said: “Farmers are doing their bit in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when micro-organisms that cause infection alter over time.
“This makes infections harder to treat, putting the animal’s health at risk and increasing the chance of disease spread among the herd which can have a knock-on effect on the entire industry.”
Embracing strategies
The UFU has said that farmers are moving towards a prevention is better than cure approach.
Irvine continued: “With the well-being of livestock being a major priority, northern farmers are embracing animal health plans which include vaccination strategies as well as husbandry improvements.”
The UFU praised the poultry and pig sectors for the gains in reducing antibiotic usage, also noting that livestock farmers have demonstrated great commitment to preventing antimicrobial resistance.
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