Timeline of Progress

Nov - Ambitious new antibiotic use targets released by RUMA’s Targets Task Force

Nov - VMD announces 2019 antibiotic sales among lowest levels recorded in Europe

Oct - New responsible medicine initiative for UK pets and horses is announced, drawing on farm livestock learnings

Oct - UK has fifth lowest sales of antibiotics for farm animals in Europe

Sep - UK poultry meat sector still hitting antibiotic use targets

June - Pig antibiotic reductions hold steady in face of disease challenge

Jan - New antibiotics advice published by European Medicines Agency, with HP CIAs as ‘Category B’

Oct - RUMA publishes ‘Two Years On’ report on progress towards 2020 livestock sector targets for antibiotic use

Oct - 2018 UK antibiotic sales data announced, revealing a 53% reduction in 5 years, reaching 29.5mg/kg

Oct - New EU report shows UK 5th lowest user of antibiotics

Sep - Poultry sector antibiotic reductions maintained in 2018

Jul - Beef sector publishes consultation on antibiotic use measurement metrics

Jul - Sheep sector publishes new antibiotic use measurement metrics and responsible use guidelines

Jul - Wales publishes new AMR implementation plan

May - Northern Ireland publishes new AMR strategy

May - Pig sector publishes 2018 antibiotic usage figures, showing reductions of 60% since 2015

Jan - Government publishes its latest One Health report examining antibiotic use and resistance in UK humans and animals

Jan - Government publishes its new 5-year strategy on AMR

Dec - Dairy sector confirms new metrics to measure antibiotic use on-farm

Nov - RUMA publishes the Targets Task Force ‘One Year On’ report, updating on progress towards targets for the UK’s key livestock sectors

Oct - 2017 antibiotic sales data announced by the VMD, revealing a 40% fall overall since 2013

Sep - RUMA’s #VaccinesWork campaign is launched and runs throughout September and October

Jun - Farming industry scoops three awards at Public Health England’s Antibiotic Guardian awards 2018

Jun - Poultry meat sector announces antibiotic use has fallen 82% 2012-2017

May - Pig sector announces antibiotic use has halved 2015-2017

Feb - RUMA’s #ColostrumIsGold campaign launches and runs throughout February

Oct - Game bird sector reveals a 35% fall in use 2016 to 2017

Oct - Targets Task Force releases sector objectives – pigs, poultry, eggs, fish, dairy, beef, sheep, game

Oct - Integration of AHDB pig e-Medicine Book into Red Tractor standards

Oct - 2016 Sales data reveals a further 21% fall since 2015, 27% since 2014. This means average sales of 45mg/PCU, beating the Government target of 50mg/PCU 2 years early.

Jul - New Dairy Antimicrobial Stewardship Group launched

Jun - Announcement of more than 70% reduction in colistin use in pigs 2015-2016

Jun - Poultry meat sector announces 71% reduction 2012-2016

May - Pig Veterinary Society confirms prescribing guidelines

Mar - Announcement that in-feed medication halved in young pigs

Feb - First RUMA Independent Scientific Group meeting

Dec - First RUMA Targets Task Force meeting

Oct - UK farming industry has 10% reduction in average mg/kg sales in 2015

Sep - Government response to O’Neill report: 50mg/PCU average target by 2018

May - RUMA welcomes O’Neill report & announces Targets Task Force

May - National Pig Assoc launches Antibiotic Stewardship Programme

May - O’Neill report released

Apr - Poultry meat sector announces 43% reduction 2012-2015

Apr - AHDB launches the e-Medicine Book for pigs

Dec - RUMA imposes voluntary Colistin restrictions

Nov - Colistin resistance found in China

Apr - RUMA publishes AMR action plan

Sep - Defra releases Five Year Strategy on Tackling AMR

Apr - Poultry meat sector starts its stewardship programme