New Red Tractor assurance rules have dramatically reduced the use of critically important antibiotics fluoroquinolones and third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins according to the British Cattle Veterinary Association Congress.

The study shows that last year’s new assurance standards for cattle and sheep have cut use of these antibiotics by 92%. Westpoint vet Tim Potter carried out the study with Kingshay, looking at vet records of 2,764 beef, sheep and dairy farms where the dramatic drop was discovered.

The restriction of using fluoroquinolones and third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins is to prolong their availability for human health and slow the rate of resistance. The Red Tractor rules state that these antibiotics could only be used as a last resort under vet direction guided by sensitivity or diagnostic testing.