Food Safety
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • NEWS
  • Latest News
  • White Papers
  • TOPICS
  • Contamination Control
  • Food Types
  • Management
  • Process Control
  • Regulatory
  • Sanitation
  • Supply Chain
  • Testing and Analysis
  • EXCLUSIVES
  • Food Safety Five Newsreel
  • eBooks
  • FSM Distinguished Service Award
  • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • Videos
  • MORE
  • ENEWSLETTER >
  • Store
  • Sponsor Insights
  • ENEWSLETTER >
  • Archive Issues
  • Subscribe to eNews
  • EMAG
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Editorial Advisory Board
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsContamination ControlManagementInternationalChemical

UK Reports Decade-Low Antibiotic Sales for Use in Food Animals, Decreasing AMR

By Bailee Henderson
veterinarian in PPE on pig farm holding syringe and bottle of medication

Image credit: aleksandarlittlewolf via Freepik

November 21, 2024

UK sales of antibiotics for use in food-producing animals is at a 10-year-low, according to the latest report from the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate. The report also shows decreasing levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogens from livestock and poultry.

The UK-Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance (UK-VARSS) report brings together national data on antibiotic sales, antibiotic use, and AMR. This year’s report was published during World AMR Awareness Week, which is recognized during November every year to highlight the urgent threat to global public health posed by AMR.

Antibiotic Sales

Although the latest report shows no change in the sales of veterinary antibiotics for use in livestock and poultry between 2022 and 2023 (25.7 milligrams per kilogram [mg/kg]), antibiotic sales for food-producing animals remain 59 percent lower than reported in 2014 (62.3 mg/kg). More than 60 percent of all antibiotics sold for use in food-producing animals were either tetracyclines (33 percent) or penicillins (28 percent).

Sales of critically important antibiotics for use in food-producing animals (i.e., fluoroquinolones, third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, and colistin) remain at very low levels (0.11 mg/kg), accounting for less than 0.5 percent of total sales, and representing an 84 percent decrease compared with sales in 2014 (0.67 mg/kg). No sales of colistin for use in food-producing animals were recorded in 2023, compared to 0.12 mg/kg in 2014.

Antibiotic Use

Pigs were administered the most antibiotics out of any food-producing animals in the UK, with 84.8 mg/kg used—an increase of 13 mg/kg compared to 2022. Still, the use of antibiotics in pigs is down 69 percent from 2014. Broiler chickens followed pigs, with 13.5 mg/kg total antibiotics administered, representing a 0.5 mg/kg decrease from 2022 and a 72 percent decrease from 2014.

In 2023, 19.9 mg/kg antibiotics were administered to salmon, up by 1.4 mg/kg since 2022 and by 24 percent since 2014. Salmon is the only food-producing animal to see an increase in antibiotic use since 2014, with the rest of the monitored animal categories seeing significant decreases throughout the decade, ranging from 51 percent to 97 percent.

AMR

The UK-VARSS report monitors AMR in pathogens isolated from healthy pigs and poultry at slaughter, and the latest report is the first to include results from AMR surveillance pilots in milk from dairy cattle, beef cattle, and sheep, carried out under the UK Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food, and Environment (PATH-SAFE) program.

There have been significant improvements in AMR since reporting began in 2014–2015. The percentage of Escherichia coli isolates (from pigs and chickens) showing full susceptibility to the panel of tested antibiotics is at a new high of 43 percent, which is more than double the rate seen in 2014–2015. Additionally, the percentage of multidrug-resistant isolates (from pigs and chickens) is at a new low of 27 percent.

Based on PATH-SAFE testing, full antimicrobial susceptibility among E. coli isolated from sheep and dairy cattle is more than 87 percent and more than 80 percent, respectively. However, there was also a significant percentage of E. coli isolated from beef cattle that expressed genes carrying resistance to critical third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins.

The UK-VARSS report also includes veterinary clinical surveillance data, providing AMR information for pathogens isolated from diagnostic samples. This data is not representative of the UK’s wider animal populations.

Of the 1,168 clinical E. coli isolates tested for AMR, 18 percent showed resistance to four or more individual antibiotics, although overall resistance has decreased since 2014. Of the 5,513 clinical Salmonella isolates tested, 73 percent were fully susceptible to antibiotics, while 14 percent were resistant to four or more antibiotics.

KEYWORDS: AMR antibiotics report UK

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Baileehendersonmay23

Bailee Henderson is the Digital Editor of Food Safety Magazine. She can be reached at hendersonb@bnpmedia.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Contamination Control
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Food Prep/Handling
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Best Practices
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

Pitcher of milk ready to be served

FDA Suspends Milk Quality Testing Amid Health and Human Services Cuts

USDA building.jpg

More Than 15,000 USDA Employees Take Trump Administration's Resignation Offer

Image of Tyson Foods logo and the logos of Tyson Foods brands

Tyson Foods is Reformulating Food Products to Eliminate Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes

Events

May 12, 2025

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

May 13, 2025

Traceability Next Steps—Supply Chain Implementation

Live Streaming from the Food Safety Summit: Join us for this engaging and highly practical workshop focused on building and sustaining traceability efforts across the food supply chain. 

May 13, 2025

Effective Sanitation Basics

Live Streaming from the Food Safety Summit: This dynamic workshop will help participants understand the sanitation process, effective monitoring, use of data streams, and root cause analysis basics.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • muddy cow at farm

    U.S. Sales of Medically Important Antibiotics for Use in Food-Producing Animals Dropping Since 2015

    See More
  • two veterinarians talking on cow farm with clipboard

    Sales of Medically Important Antibiotics for Use in Food-Producing Animals Decreased Slightly in 2023

    See More
  • pills

    AMR Trends can be Reversed by Decreasing Antimicrobial Use, EU Agencies Report

    See More

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • October 1, 2024

    Advances in Food Decontamination Technology: A New Era of Efficiency and Effectiveness

    On Demand: From this webinar, attendees will learn about the potential for extending shelf life, resulting in decreased spoilage and improved food safety. 
  • May 14, 2025

    Proven Practices for Allergen Management

    Live Streaming from the Food Safety Summit: This session tackles the importance and impact of allergen management in product development, production, and labeling. 
View AllSubmit An Event

Related Directories

  • OneVision Corp.

    We develop, manufacture, sell and support can seam inspection and weighing systems to food and beverage canners, can makers, and specialty manufacturers (oil filter, aerosol cans, composite cans). Founded in 1994, we've installed and support more than 350 can seam inspection systems around the world.
  • Cognituv

    Cognituv delivers evidence-based intelligent IoT-enabled UV-C disinfection solutions, partnering with facility managers with our proven process to elevate hygiene and achieve ESG goals. Our US-made products focus on disinfection, and enhanced operations, for optimizing sustainability to scale.
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!