Experts Call for Global Action to Cut Antibiotic Use in Agriculture

London (PNA/Xinhua) — Bold global action needs to be taken to substantially reduce the use of antibiotics in agriculture and the quantities being dispersed into the environment, according to a report published Tuesday by a group of experts.

The report is completed by a group called Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, the work of which is supported by the British government.

Due to poor surveillance and data collection in many countries, estimates of total annual global antibiotic consumption in agriculture vary considerably, ranging from around 63,000 tons to over 240,000 tons, according to the report.

Figures cited in the report show that global consumption of antibiotics in this sector is predicted to increase by 67 percent from 2010 to 2030. Consumption among BRICS nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will increase by 99 percent in the same period.

The proportion of antibiotics used in livestock compared with humans is also very surprising to many not well versed in this issue, the authors of the report said.

More than 70 percent of the antibiotics deemed medically important for human health by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) sold in the United States, and over 50 percent in most countries in the world are used in livestock, according to figures cited in the report.

These antibiotics are used for different purposes, some to protect or improve the health of the animals, and others to stimulate quicker growth and maximize profits.

To tackle the global issue, the report proposes three broad interventions.

These include a global target to reduce antibiotic use in food production; the rapid development of minimum standards to reduce antimicrobial manufacturing waste released into the environment; and improved surveillance to monitor these problems.

A reasonable target for agricultural antibiotic use would be 50 mg for every 1 kg of livestock, which is a level already achieved by Denmark, one of the world’s biggest pork exporters, said Jim O’ Neill, chair of the group.

Antibiotics are most useful in cramped dirty conditions where infections are easier to spread. Therefore, one of the practical approaches is to provide more spacious and hygienic living conditions to the animals, so as to drive down the demand for antibiotics, according to the report. (PNA/Xinhua) JBP/EBP