Antibiotic useage in poultry industry falls 71%

2016 was a year of enormous progress for the British poultry meat industry, with several big achievements. They stopped the prophylactic use of antibiotics, stopped the use of Colistin and agreed into new antibiotic standards for Red Tractor Poultry Assurance (coming into force in October 2017).

Over the period of 2012 to 2016 the UK poultry meat sector reduced its use of antibiotics by weight by a massive 71% (23.72 t in 2016). Across the same period poultry meat production has increased by 11% (1.79 mill. t in 2016).

BPC Chairman, John Reed, said: “We are delighted with the progress we’ve made, but there is more work to be done. Our Antibiotic Stewardship continuously reviews on-farm management practices to ensure sustainable use of antibiotics throughout our supply chain.”

Antibiotic use, and antimicrobial resistance, in humans and animals is one of the biggest health challenges we face on a global scale. The UK poultry meat industry has taken up this challenge and is the only livestock sector currently collating and publishing data. But data alone is not enough. We are committed to Clinical Governance and knowing how and why we use antibiotics. Livestock, like people, get ill, and will need antibiotics to preserve their health.

The next challenge for the sector is examining the link between antibiotic use and resistance in the poultry production chain; to help us contribute meaningfully to the global debate. We are committed to reporting our progress on an annual basis.