Total sales of antibiotics for Dutch veterinary use have declined by 23% in the past three years to 455 tonnes in 2010. A review of a group of holdings also revealed a marked decline in the use of antibiotics by three of the four livestock farming sectors examined in the study.
This is revealed by the latest figures for the veterinary of antibiotics that LEI, part of Wageningen UR, has published on the MARAN website (www.maran.wur.nl).
2011 target appears to be feasible
Data from the pharmaceutical industry (FIDIN) reveal that antibiotics sales to the Dutch livestock farming sector have, after a long period of increasing levels, decreased from 590 tonnes of active ingredient in 2007 to 455 tonnes in 2010. In 2010, sales decreased by about 12% from the previous year in a period in which the number of livestock remained largely unchanged. If this trend continues in 2011 then the government’s 20% reduction target will be achieved.
Trends by sector
Further studies of a number of holdings yield an insight into antibiotics use by sector. Data from the 2005-2010 period reveal a marked decline in the use of antibiotics by three of the four livestock farming sectors examined in the study:
- sows/piglets: annual fluctuation, decline in 2010;
- porkers: decline in 2009 and 2010;
- broilers: increase in 2005-2009, decline in 2010;
- dairy cattle: decline in 2009, increase in 2010.
Antibiotics use at dairy cattle farms increased by ten per cent, although it is too early to establish whether this increase is structural. The dairy cattle farms’ use of antibiotics, with a total of approximately six daily dosages (treatment days) per cow per year, is relatively low in comparison with the other livestock farming sectors.
Follow-up study
Next November, at the request of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, LEI will publish an estimate of the use of antibiotics in the first six months of 2011.