The next set of pig sector antibiotic targets, which are currently being developed, will include a focus on biosecurity in response to the increase in antibiotic usage last year.
RUMA’s Target Task Force (TTF2) for antibiotic stewardship in UK farming was completed at the end of 2024. The Pig Health and Welfare Council Antimicrobial Usage Subgroup is now developing proposals for TTF3, which will be taken forward by Yorkshire producer Richard Lister, representing producers, and Dr Alex Thomsett, from the George Pig Practice, representing the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS).
Objectives
As with TTF2, the targets will contain numerical and non-numerical objectives, which will be presented at the NPA spring regional meetings and the PVS spring meeting to provide an opportunity for feedback.
“All sectors have been encouraged to show ambition in their objectives, and this will be particularly reflected in our numerical target,” Mr Lister said.
The 2024 eMB pig sector antibiotic usage data will not be finalised until late spring, but it is expected to be above the TTF2 target. After an impressive 78% reduction from the 2015 baseline figure of 278mg/population correction unit (PCU) to 72mg/PCU in 2022, 2023 saw an 18% increase in pig sector antibiotic usage to 85mg/PCU.
This was the result of health breakdowns, particularly swine dysentery and diseases associated with E coli, such as post-weaning diarrhoea or oedema disease, following the phasing out of zinc oxide.
“To address this, it is likely that one of the non-numerical targets will focus on biosecurity, so the sector can break the cycle of infection that drives antibiotic use,” Dr Thomsett said.
“While some respiratory diseases, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome [PRRS], can be acquired through aerosol transmission from neighbouring farms, many others, including swine dysentery, are more likely to enter a unit through a contaminated vehicle or other fomites.
“Addressing bio-exclusion on UK farms would prevent this cycle of disease spread and resultant antimicrobial use.”
High users
TTF2 introduced additional measures to support persistently high users, which remains an area of concern for some producers. TTF3 will see further support measures added for these producers.
Additional TTF3 objectives have been inspired by the government’s National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance, which includes the use of alternatives to antibiotics such as bacteriophages (phages), which are already used to extend perishable vegetables’ shelf life.
“Phages could also be used to control disease associated with Salmonella spp or E coli in animals, and working with research partners in the UK and EU as part of the pig sector targets will facilitate bringing these products to the market,” Dr Thomsett said.
