Signal UK livestock antimicrobial use down 59% since 2014

Summary

In describing the current state of AMR, the report treats antimicrobial use in livestock as an important indicator. In the UK, the quantity of antimicrobials given to livestock has fallen by 59% since 2014. By contrast, global use in farm animals is estimated to have grown by about 58% between 2010 and 2020, which the report sees as contributing to rising resistance. In its short-term outlook, however, the report expects UK reductions in veterinary use to level off as further cuts get harder and require deeper changes in farm management. It also lists better animal health and welfare as a benefit of improved infection control and farm management.