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Antibiotic use in UK poultry continues to fall


Figures released by the UK government’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate showed that antibiotics used in chickens fell from 17.5 mg/ PCU in 2019 to 16.3 mg/PCU last year, although this is higher than the record minimum of 9.9 mg/PCU set in 2017. The industry target is 25 mg/PCU.


BY TONY MCDOUGAL S


tatistics for antibiotics used in turkeys showed a marked decline last year, falling from 42 mg/PCU in 2019 to just 25.7mg/PCU, almost half the industry target of 50 mg/PCU. Since 2014 the turkey sector


has reduced mg/PCU by 88.2%, demonstrating the commit- ment of the sector to upholding the UK’s stance on tackling antimicrobial resistance. In the laying hen sector, members of the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC Lion Code), which represents 90% of the laying hen industry (and includes breeders and pullets), continued to be below the 1% bird days and no Highest Priority – Critically Important Antibi- otics (HP-CIAs) were used for the fourth consecutive year. Overall, the laying sector recorded a total of 3.1 tonnes of antibiotic active ingredient use in 2020. A figure of 0.47 actual bird days treated per 100 birds was recorded for the period, representing a reduction on the reported values in previous years.


Online portal For the first time information was collected through an online portal facilitating analysis of the data and improved feedback to subscribers, producers and vets. It has also made it possi- ble to share data on reasons for medication with prescribing vets. The results showed that there continues to be a focus on disease prevention, including widespread vaccination programmes. It is also a requirement for all farms to have a written biosecurity and veterinary health plan and, in addi- tion, the Lion Training Passport provides a common training standard, including welfare, biosecurity and medicine usage. From January 2021 the Lion Training Passport, which includes medicine training, has been a required standard for all farms.


There are currently some significant structural changes taking place in the laying hen sector with a move away from en- riched colony cage production for retail supply to barn pro- duction. The sector believes that while this will create chal- lenges, it is confident that through a continued focus on disease prevention and antibiotic stewardship, the sector will remain below its ongoing target of keeping below 1% bird days and 0.05% for HP-CIAs.


Targets task force The results are part of the ‘one year on’ Responsible Use of Medicines (RUMA) Targets Task Force 2 (TTF2), which looked at ten sectors in poultry, pigs, ruminants and aquaculture. It was found that the unprecedented nature of the past year had resulted in significant industry challenges, including sup- ply chain resources, infrastructure issues and labour difficul- ties. Some sectors, such as gamebirds, had reduced produc- tion, while others, such as the pig sector, experienced considerable supply chain issues with animals remaining on farm for longer than normal which affected sectoral targets. The onset of environmental issues related to global climate change have had impacts in some sectors, too. Cat McLaughlin, chair of RUMA and the RUMA Targets Task Force 2, said: “Despite an exceptional 12 months, there have been some great achievements realised in year one of the second set of RUMA Targets Task Force targets, which is a tes- tament to the hard-work and commitment across all sectors. As well as striving to achieve or sustain key targets, a number of important industry initiatives have been launched, includ- ing Farm Vet Champions and the Medicine Hub. ...It is impor- tant to remember that the targets are not about driving to- wards zero antibiotic use; antibiotics are needed when necessary as a tool to treat sick animals and to improve and maintain animal welfare”. The VMD Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Sur- veillance (UK-VARSS 2020) report showed that UK antibiotic sales for food-producing animals have been reduced by 52% with sales recorded at 62.3 mg/kg. Abigail Seager, VMD CEO, said: “Working closely with the farming industry and the vet- erinary profession, we have achieved huge reductions in the use of antibiotics since 2014 and we are seeing reductions in resistance as well. These successes are a tribute to the cooper- ation between vets and farmers in promoting the responsible use of antibiotics”.


▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 1, 2022


Disease preven- tion and good management practices are crucial to keep antibiotic usage down.


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PHOTO: ATELIER 68


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