FAIRR view: Responsible antibiotic use in animal agriculture
The responsible use of antibiotics in animal supply chains plays an integral role in preserving efficacy of antibiotics and preventing the spread of AMR. Protein producers should ensure they address biosecurity measures and implement good animal husbandry practices to minimise the need for antibiotics on farms. There are several types of antibiotics used in animal agriculture, such as veterinary-only antibiotics (and ionophores) which are exclusively meant for animals and medically important, critically important and high-priority critically important antibiotics which can be used in both animals and humans. The definition of ‘responsible’ use varies depending on the reason for use and type of antibiotic used.
Non-therapeutic use | Non-therapeutic use | Therapeutic use | Therapeutic use | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Growth Promotion | Prophylaxis | Metaphylaxis | Therapy | |
Definition | Animals are routinely given low doses of antibiotics for extended periods to increase feed efficiency and/or stimulate growth. May also prevent disease. | Routine group treatment of animals for extended periods of time where there is a high risk of infection, but no illness currently present. | Non-routine treatment of a group of animals that have been in close contact with clinically infected animal(s). | Non-routine treatment of animals with clinical evidence of infectious disease. |
Should antibiotics be used? | No, not medically necessary. | No*, use can be avoided or reduced via improved animal husbandry and biosecurity. | Yes, in some cases, it may be prudent to give antibiotics to animals where infection has not yet been clinically diagnosed to prevent the development and further spread of infection and maintain animal health and welfare. | Yes, antibiotics should always be used to treat sick animals. |
Is veterinarian oversight required? | n/a | n/a** | Yes, veterinary diagnosis and prescription are required. Treatment must be administered in accordance with label instructions. | Yes, veterinary diagnosis and prescription are required. Treatment must be administered in accordance with label instructions. |
Should veterinary-only antibiotics be used? | n/a | n/a | Yes, where possible veterinary-only antibiotics should be used instead of medically important. | Yes, where possible veterinary-only antibiotics should be used instead of medically important. |
Should medically important antibiotics be used? | n/a | n/a | Yes, in cases where there is documented need for antibiotics and no alternative is available. Treatment should be done at the barn level, preventing exposure to those in adjacent housing. | Yes, in cases where there is documented need for antibiotics and no alternative is available. Treatment should be administered to the individual animal only. |
Should critically important antibiotics be used? | n/a | n/a | No | Yes, only after susceptibility testing proves other classes of antibiotics are ineffective. Treatment should be administered to the individual animal only. |
Should high-priority critically important antibiotics be used? | n/a | n/a | No | No |
What antibiotic usage data should be disclosed? | Antibiotics should not be used for this purpose. However, where antibiotics are being used this should be disclosed using the same metrics as for metaphylaxis. | Antibiotics should not be used for this purpose. However, where antibiotics are being used this should be disclosed using the same metrics as for metaphylaxis. | By species: records of diagnosis and treatment: – antibiotic prescribed – route of administration (%) – dose (mg/PCU) | By species: records of diagnosis and treatment: – antibiotic prescribed – route of administration – dose (mg/PCU) |
*There may be some exceptions where the prophylactic use of antibiotics is necessary:
Smallholder farmers located in low- and middle-income countries may not have access to alternatives to antibiotics
In specific cases where there may be an infectious bacterial disease, with a high mortality rate and the ability to transfer rapidly between farms. In these cases, producers should follow the tiered approach to antibiotic use, starting with the use of veterinary-only antibiotics and ionophores before using medically important antibiotics.
**In some countries where routine use is allowed by law, veterinarians may be required to issue a prescription for the prophylactic use of antibiotics and ionophores. However, this would not be considered responsible use of antibiotics unless for the reasons stated above.