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Veterinary

Sales of veterinary antibiotics in the UK reach lowest ever level

The report published today demonstrates the UK’s commitment to surveillance of antibiotic use in order to better understand and mitigate the risks of AMR

Sales of veterinary antibiotics in the UK are at the lowest level ever recorded, in a report published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

Sales of antibiotics for use in food-producing animals fell by nearly 10% in the last year and have more than halved since 2014.

Sales of the highest-priority antibiotics due to their critical importance to human health remain at extremely low levels.

The VMD has stated that this is important as it helps in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

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The report published today demonstrates the UK’s commitment to surveillance of antibiotic use in order to better understand and mitigate the risks of AMR.

Abi Seager, VMD CEO, said: “Antibiotic stewardship is embedded in UK farming and responsible use is essential to maintaining our high animal health and welfare standards. I’m encouraged that our vets and farmers continue to make reductions in their antibiotic prescribing and use.

Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, said: “This year’s UK-VARSS report shows how collaborative working between government and industry is effective in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. It is important that we maintain and build upon this positive progress and so I encourage vets and animal owners to continue to support the UK’s 20-year vision to contain and control AMR.”

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