Animal health
Antibiotic targets seek to build on previous success
• Livestock sector achieves big reductions • Usage still too high among some farmers • Achievable goal with proactive approach
N
ew targets to encourage the re- sponsible use of antibiotics in UK livestock have been agreed by farmers and veterinary experts for the next four years.
The new goals build on the success- ful implementation of the last targets released in 2017. Overall, these have helped to halve sales of antibiotics to treat UK farm animals and achieve the fifth-lowest usage in Europe, with only Nordic countries lower. While specific reduction goals have not been set for beef and sheep, the aim is that the dairy and calf rearing sectors will reduce usage by 15% and 25% re- spectively across the national herd by 2024 as data become available. Other sectors aiming to reduce an- tibiotics as a result of farm-level inter- ventions include the pig sector. It plans to decrease usage by a further 30% by 2024 – with the gamebird sector aim- ing for a 40% reduction.
Refreshed challenge Details of the targets are included in a report by the Responsible Use of Med- icines in Agriculture (RUMA) Alliance. It represents all stages of the animal food chain from farm to fork that have an interest in the stewardship of ani- mal medicines in agriculture. The report covers 10 sectors across aquaculture, pigs, poultry and rumi- nants. For the first time, calf rearing is examined in isolation in order to fo- cus in on the specific health and wel- fare interventions that will reduce the need for antibiotic treatments. With over 75% of the original tar- gets now achieved early or on track to be achieved by the deadline, the time was right to set refreshed challenges for the next four years, says RUMA chair Cat McLaughlin.
“The UK farming industry has re-
sponded extremely well to the targets,” she explained.
“Our original aim of lowering overall antibiotic use, and in particular high- est-priority critically important antibi- otics (HP-CIAs), has been categorically achieved in the face of some challeng- ing external conditions.”
Sizeable reductions Most farmed livestock sectors are now capturing data on antibiotic use across 90% or more of their animal. Even where usage data is lacking but good sales data are available, for example in cattle and sheep, sizeable reductions have been achieved. But Ms McLaughlin says the overall picture in terms of use in the large and diverse cattle and sheep sectors is still lacking. This is why targets for 2024 in- clude the collection of data into the new AHDB Medicine Hub, a UK centralised database for ruminants.
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Farmers have responded extremely well to the targets
Targets across the ruminant sectors
also include a focus on disease preven- tion and herd and flock health plan- ning, with plans to develop a new net- work of farm vet champions.. Among other activities, the pig sector is promoting best-practice guidelines to reduce post-weaning diarrhoea, a com- mon cause of antibiotic use, and will be identifying and supporting reductions among any farmers using higher levels of antibiotics within the sector. The poultry meat sector has achieved significant reductions in recent years, and joins laying hens in hold their tar- gets at current levels. Preventative use has been phased out completely.
Prioritise hygiene to meet targets
Good hygiene practices will help livestock farmers meet antibiotic reduction targets, says experts. “If we are to continue to cut our use of antibiotics, the highest hygiene levels are needed, especially during lambing and calving,” says vet Dan Humphries from Ho- rizon Dairy Vets. Postnatal diseases occur on livestock units largely due to a lack of hygiene, he adds. “Focusing on animal husbandry and using products
that minimise risk at key times, such as lambing and calving, will help farmers reduce costs and antibiotic use,” says Mr Humphries. “Any equipment should be kept in a solution of disinfectant when not being used.” A solution of 1:250 of disinfectant is advised to store
items such as water bowls, teats and milk dispensers, adds Mr Humphries.
Attention to detail For lambing and calving, the hygienic preparation of sheds and pens will reduce the likelihood of postnatal diseases. Pressure washing using detergent before spray- ing with a disinfectant will help to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other micro-organisms. “Attention to detail, preparation, and routines will help reduce the risk of infection and reduce costly loss- es. This will also reduce any subsequent reliance on an- tibiotics which will help the whole livestock sector in the UK improve animal welfare.” About one third of losses in lowland sheep flocks oc- cur in the neonatal period and most are the result of diseases that can be prevented by keeping the shed or lambing area clean and disinfected, according to BASF rural hygiene specialist Helen Ainsworth.
FEBRUARY 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 29
Proper hygiene is important during lambing and calving
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