4 Antimicrobial consumption in animals

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Report Highlights 2023:
Antimicrobial consumption in animals
In 2023, the total consumption of antimicrobials in animals amounted to 86.69 tonnes of active compounds approved for animals.

The pig sector consumed 84.03% of all prescribed veterinary antimicrobials, equal to 72.85 tonnes of active compound. Calculated in treatment proportions, an estimated 3.21% (32.08 DAPD) of all pigs, on average, received antimicrobial treatment per day in 2023. In sows and piglets and in finishers, the treatment proportions increased by 3.41% and 14.12%, respectively, in 2023 compared to 2022. The highest treatment proportion was observed in the treatment of weaners: 11.92%, corresponding to 119.3 DAPD. The treatment of weaners increased by 14.86% in 2023 compared to 2022, continuing the increasing trend observed in 2022, with a 7.61% increase compared to 2021. This increase is most likely a result of the ban of prescribed zinc oxide usage in pig production implemented June 2022. In addition, the previous ceased use of colistin, and the implementation of Order 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products applied since January 2022 could also have affected the antimicrobial use. The increase seen in 2022 and 2023 was mostly due to an increased use of neomycin and apramycin to treat post-weaning diarrhea.

Over time, the antimicrobial classes used in the treatment of pigs have changed notably. The critically important antimicrobials 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, glycopeptides, polymyxins, and fluoroquinolones have been phased out. However, over the last decade, there has been an increase in the consumption of macrolides from 6.07 DAPD to 8.23 DAPD, aminoglycosides from 1.42 DAPD to 6.65 DAPD, and simple penicillins from 2.82 DAPD to 3.46 DAPD. During the same period, the consumption of tetracyclines has decreased from 9.20 DAPD in 2014 to 4.47 DAPD in 2023.

In 2023, antimicrobial consumption in cattle amounted to 7.96 tonnes. Approximately two thirds of the consumption were used to treat older cattle (>1 year). Over the past decade, the total antimicrobial consumption has decreased for older cattle (>1 year), from 2.79 DAPD to 1.91 DAPD. During the same period, an increase in the total consumption from 5.43 DAPD to 7.04 DAPD was observed in young cattle. Also in cattle, the changes in usage of antimicrobial classes are noticeable i.e., there has been an increased consumption of aminoglycoside, amphenicols, macrolides, and simple penicillins (beta-lactamase sensitive penicillins) for treatment of younger cattle and increased consumption of simple penicillins (beta-lactamase sensitive penicillins) for intramammary treatment.

The antimicrobial consumption in poultry was 1305.80 kg active compound and has decreased by 40.55 kg from 2022 to 2023. In 2023 the consumption of macrolides decreased by 257.62 kg of active compound compared to 2022, while consumption of penicillins and tetracyclines increased.

In 2023, cephalosporins were prescribed mainly for pets and horses (58.49 kg) or as intramammary treatment for cattle (50.09 kg). Furthermore, fluoroquinolones (13.80kg) were prescribed almost exclusively for horses and pets.