Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Antibiotic Sales in Dutch Agriculture Dropped by 51%
During the period 2009-2012 the total sales of antibiotics dropped by 51%, from 495 tonnes in 2009 to an estimated 244 tonnes in 2012 (FIDIN, 2012). This already exceeds the policy objective for 2013 set by the Dutch government, i.e., a 50% reduction in antibiotic use compared with 2009. Survey data on antibiotic use per animal species indicate a further decrease in all five livestock sectors examined in the first six months of 2012.
Trends in total sales
Based on semester of 2012 (1-1-2012 to 1-7-2012) the total sales of antibiotics in the veterinary sector in 2012 are estimated to be 51% below the level of 2009. This means a decrease in the total sales of antibiotics, licensed for therapeutic use in animals in the Netherlands, from 495 tonnes in 2009 to an estimated 244 tonnes in 2012 (FIDIN, 2012). So the policy objective for 2013 - a 50% reduction compared with 2009 - may already be reached in 2012.
Trends in use per species
In 2012, as estimated based on the first semester, all five studied livestock sectors in the Netherlands showed a further decrease in antibiotic use. The trends over the last years are:
* sow/piglet farms: strong decrease, levelled off a bit in 2012;
* fattening pig farms: continuous strong decrease;
* broiler farms: strong decrease, levelled off a bit in 2012;
* veal calf farms: continuous substantial decrease;
* dairy farms: annual variation, strong decrease in 2012.
Much more details: MARAN -Wageningen University
During the period 2009-2012 the total sales of antibiotics dropped by 51%, from 495 tonnes in 2009 to an estimated 244 tonnes in 2012 (FIDIN, 2012). This already exceeds the policy objective for 2013 set by the Dutch government, i.e., a 50% reduction in antibiotic use compared with 2009. Survey data on antibiotic use per animal species indicate a further decrease in all five livestock sectors examined in the first six months of 2012.
Trends in total sales
Based on semester of 2012 (1-1-2012 to 1-7-2012) the total sales of antibiotics in the veterinary sector in 2012 are estimated to be 51% below the level of 2009. This means a decrease in the total sales of antibiotics, licensed for therapeutic use in animals in the Netherlands, from 495 tonnes in 2009 to an estimated 244 tonnes in 2012 (FIDIN, 2012). So the policy objective for 2013 - a 50% reduction compared with 2009 - may already be reached in 2012.
Trends in use per species
In 2012, as estimated based on the first semester, all five studied livestock sectors in the Netherlands showed a further decrease in antibiotic use. The trends over the last years are:
* sow/piglet farms: strong decrease, levelled off a bit in 2012;
* fattening pig farms: continuous strong decrease;
* broiler farms: strong decrease, levelled off a bit in 2012;
* veal calf farms: continuous substantial decrease;
* dairy farms: annual variation, strong decrease in 2012.
Much more details: MARAN -Wageningen University