The NZ Ministry for Primary Industries released a report today assessing trends relating to antibiotic use to enable the monitoring of any potential antibiotic resistance in food-producing animals and companion animals.
An analysis of antibiotic sales between 2009-2011 found that overall use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine and horticulture had decreased by 19 percent, with MPI deputy director-general standards, Carol Barnao noting that industries had reported a move to non-antibiotic preventative treatments within livestock.
“We understand that this reduction is largely attributable to positive changes in production animal management in the pig, poultry and dairy industries. These industries have reported a move towards non-antibiotic preventative treatments like vaccination and changes to on-farm practices to decrease their antibiotic use,” said Barnao.
As well as a decline in the popularity of antibiotic use, the report also found that particular areas required further review including the increased use of injectable tylosin in cattle, third and fourth generation cephalosporins in production and companion animals, and the reported marketing and choice of antibiotics – of which appears to be based on convenience rather than what may be the most appropriate therapeutic choice for the animals.
“As a result of this information, MPI will gather further information and look at controls around the marketing and use of antibiotic products to determine they effectively manage risks associated with antibiotic resistance,” said Barnao.