New figures collated by the British pig industry and released by RUMA indicate use of Colistin, an antibiotic of last resort which treats a number of bacterial infections in both humans and animals, fell by nearly three-quarters during 2016.
The latest available UK sales data from 2015 shows Colistin sales into veterinary medicines were already low at around one tenth of the EU recommended limit. But preliminary analysis of data received via the new pig e-Medicines Book (e-MB), which was developed and launched by AHDB Pork last year and has now collected the 2015 and 2016 ‘medical’ records of more than two-thirds of the national herd, decreased more than 70% last year.
Mandy Nevel, AHDB Pork’s veterinary team manager said the news is important as Colistin use in humans has increased in recent years for the treatment of specific serious bacterial infections that are resistant to other antibiotics.
“This is why the European Medicines Agency has classified Colistin as a highest priority ‘Critically Important Antibiotic’ for the treatment of a number of human bacterial conditions, despite it being a very old drug,” she said.
“But crucially, the regulators have retained access for animal use because it also has importance as a last-resort drug to safeguard welfare in livestock. It’s very positive to see the pig sector – vets and farmers together – responding to the responsibility of having continued access to this drug as a last resort and reducing use where possible.”
RUMA chair Gwyn Jones welcomed the news and said the findings meant that once 2016 sales data are released, the UK could be one of the five lowest users of Colistin in Europe.
He said: “We were looking for significant reductions in 2016 following the best practice guidelines issued by the Pig Veterinary Society at the end of 2015, but this has exceeded our hopes.
“It also follows hot on the heels of the announcement in February that prescribed antibiotics administered in feed for young pigs have halved, with more than two thirds of that reduction taking place in 2016.
“This shows the pig industry is really engaging with this issue and making some very strong progress in reducing, refining and replacing antibiotics use.”
NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said the figures were yet another indication of how the pig sector was rising to the challenge of reducing and refining antibiotic usage.
She said: “This data shows exactly how seriously farmers and their vets have taken this issue, and despite what certain NGO’s often spout, this is an industry that does what it says it will!”
PVS president Mark White said: “Veterinary surgeons working with their clients voluntarily restricted Colistin’s use last year and this is a perfect example of how vets can and do prescribe responsibly. The key point is the need to conserve use for when it really is necessary.”
More e-MB data will be made public later this year in line with the publication of sector-specific targets at RUMA’s conference in association with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate on October 27.