Pigs

Snapshot

• Through the Targets Task Force, the UK pig sector set a target of reaching 99 mg/kg use by 2020; this is a reduction of 64% on the base year of 2015, where usage was 278 mg/kg
• On-farm antibiotic usage data from 2015 onwards started to be uploaded onto the industry’s centralised database known as eMB-Pigs (run by AHDB)
• In 2016, overall usage in the pig sector fell 34% in one year, to 183 mg/kg. Use of colistin, a critically important antibiotic, fell by more than 70% in pigs from an already low level
• In 2017, records for 90% of the pigs going for slaughter had been added to the eMB, and showed usage had fallen again – this time by 28% to 131 mg/kg. This means use in the pig sector has halved in two years
• In 2017, use of HP CIAs as a whole was 0.1 mg/kg in the UK pig sector. Fluoroquinolone use was 0.07 mg/kg; 3rd/4th generation cephalosporin use was 0.01 mg/kg; and colistin use was 0.01 mg/kg
• In May 2019, the pig sector announced its 2018 usage figures, which took overall use down to 110 mg/kg, a 60% reduction in use
• The 2018 usage data confirmed that the use of HP CIAs had also seen a decrease, as their use was recorded at 0.06 mg/kg in total of which, colistin represented only 0.004 mg/kg, which is around 2.5 kg
• While 2019 usage remained at 110 mg/kg due to an outbreak of swine dysentery during the year, HP CIA use fell further, to 0.1 mg/kg for fluoroquinolones, 0.015 mg/kg for 3rd/4th generation cephalosporins, and colistin use was virtually nil
• Q1 & 2 results for 2020 were published in November 2020, and indicated that use had fallen again, to 104 mg/kg
• For the next set of targets 2021-2024, the pig sector plans to further reduce use by 30%, and to identify and support persistently high users of antibiotics to reduce as well as promote best practice in weaning
• For more detail on progress against the 2017-2020 the pig targets, and new targets 2021-2024, please refer to the full Targets Task Force Report 2020

News Updates

New antibiotic targets released for the UK livestock sectors

23 Nov 2020

Pig sector continues to reduce antibiotic use

23 Nov 2020

Germany confirms first case of African Swine Fever

10 Sep 2020

Pig council report shows progress in pig health and welfare and antibiotic stewardship

09 Jul 2019

UK pig sector announces further reductions in antibiotic use

30 May 2019

New report shows progress towards achieving farm antibiotic targets

18 Nov 2018

RUMA confirms position on ‘antibiotic-free’ labelling

08 Oct 2018

Campaign aims to remind prescribers and farmers that #VaccinesWork

11 Sep 2018

FSA publishes survey of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria in chicken and pork

05 Sep 2018

Interim report gives picture of progress towards farming’s antibiotic targets

27 Jul 2018

UK farming triple winner at Public Health England’s Antibiotic Guardian awards

28 Jun 2018

UK pig sector halves antibiotic use in two years

18 May 2018

Food report from pressure groups misleads on antibiotics

19 Apr 2018

#ColostrumIsGold campaign aims to slash antibiotic use

29 Jan 2018

Initiatives

Pig council report shows progress in pig health and welfare and antibiotic stewardship

Jul 2019

UK pig sector announces further reductions in antibiotic use

May 2019

Campaign aims to remind prescribers and farmers that #VaccinesWork

Sep 2018

#ColostrumIsGold campaign aims to slash antibiotic use

Jan 2018

Pig Veterinary Society prescribing principles

Aug 2017

British Pig Health Scheme

Aug 2017

The Biennial Pig Health and Welfare Council Report, 2015-2016

Jul 2017

The Real Welfare Report

Jul 2017

AHDB Pork E-Medicine Book

Jul 2017

NPA: Pig Industry Antibiotic Stewardship Programme

Jul 2017

Useful Organisations