One Health–Antimicrobial Resistance

Reduction of Antimicrobial Use in the Pork Food Chain—Did It Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance?

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Abstract

Antimicrobial use (AMU) selects for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial populations. However, what happens to AMR when selection pressure declines due to a reduction of AMU in animal husbandry? The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the reduction of antimicrobial use in pig husbandry in Germany was followed by a reduction in antimicrobial resistance. In 2014, Germany changed its drug legislation (Arzneimittelgesetz, AMG). The purpose of this legal change was the reduction of antimicrobial use in meat producing animals. Among other animal populations, the regulation addressed piglets ≤30 kg body weight and fattening pigs >30 kg body weight. The general principle of the regulation was a benchmarking approach. Data on antimicrobial use were collected in a systematic manner using treatment frequency as a measure. This measure was compared between farms housing the same type of animal populations, i.e. therapy frequency in pigs ≤30 kg in a farm was compared to therapy frequency in pigs ≤30 kg on the other farms. From all farm level therapy frequencies of the same type of population, the median and the 3rd quartile were determined twice a year. Farms with a therapy frequency above the 3rd quartile need to present a catalogue of measures aimed at reducing antimicrobial use to the respective local competent veterinary authority. Those above the median had to identify the reasons for the AMU above average.

How to Cite:

Käsbohrer, A., Weiser, A. A., Tenhagen, B., Hammerl, J. A., Flor, M. & Grobbel, M., (2019) “Reduction of Antimicrobial Use in the Pork Food Chain—Did It Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance?”, SafePork 13(1), 64–65. doi: https://doi.org//safepork.11153