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A clear reduction in antibiotics use (a 7.6% decrease compared to 2018) was achieved in the animal sector in 2019. Antibiotic use has decreased 40.3% since 2011.
In a 2016 meeting between the federal authorities and all partner sectors involved in the Agreement on the reduction of antibiotic use in the animal sector, a target for 2020 was set to reduce the total use of antibiotics by 50% compared to 2011. Just under 10% of the base year target remains to be reached by the end of 2020.
Two other important objectives were also covered in the meeting: a 50% reduction in the use of medicated feed containing antibiotics and a 75% reduction in the use of medically important antibiotics. Both of these targets have been met and were even exceeded in 2017. As a result of the significant efforts by the compound feed industry and its customers, the consumption of medicated feed has been reduced by 71.1% compared to 2011. In addition, discontinuing colistin as a medicated feed additive has reduced the use of this antibiotic by 66.4% since 2011.
Since 2011, the use of medically important antibiotics has been reduced 77.3%. Although the goal has been reached, vigilance remains necessary for the use of medically important antibiotics, which in the last two years has seen a resurgence after a dramatic decline in 2016 and 2017. This is mainly due to an increase in the use of fluoroquinolones in animal species whose consumption is not recorded by Sanitel-Med. This development must be closely monitored and reversed as soon as possible.
According to AMCRA coordinator, Dr. Fabiana Dal Pozzo, "There is indeed a decrease in the number of treatment days in 2019 compared to 2018 for pigs (-5.8%), poultry (-5.8%) and veal calves (-21.3%). "
June 22, 2020/ AFSCA/ Belgium.
http://www.afsca.be
