Preventive Measures to Minimise Veterinary Antibiotic Use and Their Impact on Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

Interventions reducing antimicrobial usage in animals are associated with decreased antimicrobial resistance in animals and to a lesser extent to decreased antimicrobial resistance in humans. To prevent development and spread of antimicrobial resistance in farm animals, good farm management, infection prevention and prudent use of antimicrobials seem important focus points. Sensor-based techniques using artificial intelligence can improve farm management and monitoring of animals disease supporting prudent use of antimicrobials. To date, alternatives for antimicrobials have not shown efficacy comparable to curative antibiotic treatments, but more research is essential to explore the potential of using prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics or other alternatives for antimicrobials treatments. In theory, these measures will jointly support further reduction of antimicrobial use in farm animals. However, the effectiveness also depends on the behavior of farmers and veterinarians. In a time of the rising awareness to fight antimicrobial resistance there is a strong need to rethink current livestock production systems comprehensively in the light of animal welfare and health, environmental implications, antimicrobial use and resistance and economic profitability for farmers. This goes beyond the individual farm level and requires a strong system thinking approach with input from a wide variety of scientific disciplines. Although it is generally accepted that the One Health approach is essential for tackling antimicrobial resistance, the relative contribution of animals, food, the environment and the human population is still poorly understood. Nevertheless, it is beyond doubt that reduction of antimicrobial resistance in animal production systems contributes to reduction in the global spread of antimicrobial resistance. During the 2023 AMR workshop in Amsterdam, different breakout sessions were organized, in which the impact of antimicrobial usage in animals on antimicrobial resistance in animals and humans was discussed as well as different options to reduce antimicrobial use in livestock farming. This included governmental measures, farm management, hygiene, animal health and welfare, antibiotic alternatives and artificial intelligence. This chapter provides an overview of the main outcomes of these break-out session combined with a review of the scientific literature on these subjects.