Antibiotics and Farming: prescriptions for change

The critical nature of antimicrobial resistance has been well documented by experts across the globe, and the inappropriate use of drugs in livestock farming is widely recognised as a contributory risk.

The UK Government-appointed O’Neill Review found that there is “compelling” scientific evidence that antibiotic resistance is being transmitted from farm animals to humans and states that this warrants a significant reduction in farm antibiotic use. The recent finding of colistin-resistant E. coli from pigs and humans in England and Wales is the latest sign that the future efficacy of our antibiotics is under threat.

And yet, the overuse of these vital medicines within the farming sector continues. Across Europe, twice as many antibiotics are used in farm animals than are used in humans. Routine, purely preventative dosing of groups of healthy animals remains legal within the EU, despite opposition from the European Medicines Agency and several European countries. In the UK, veterinary use of antibiotics classified as “critically important for humans” is at an all-time high. 

Read the agenda   /   Book via Eventbrite

Our 2016 conference brings together multi-disciplinary stakeholders; from policy-makers, health professionals, livestock farmers and veterinarians, to scientists, civil-society and environmental groups. The event will explore practical steps to reduce farm antibiotic use; drawing on successful interventions taking place across the EU.

Venue: Institute of Child Health, London, WC1N 1EH, 14th April 2016, 9.45am to 4.30pm

RSVP. Places are limited so please book early. Contact: cwest@saveourantibiotics.eu / 07814 910 295

The Alliance to Save our Antibiotics is a coalition of health, medical, animal welfare and NGO organisations. It was founded by Compassion in World Farming, the Soil Association and Sustain, and is supported by the Jeremy Coller Foundation.