Assigning Defined Daily Doses Animal: a European multi-country experience

In order to be able to compare antimicrobial usage data between countries with a uniform quantification method a Defined Daily Dose Animal (DDDA) per active substance was defined. Information of 731 antimicrobial products licensed for use in porcine medicine in four EU countries was used to establish mean DDDAs for 83 unique active substances (AS) including combinations of different AS. Common DDDAs were defined in spite of large variations in the authorized dosages for the same active substances and administration routes. These DDDAs will be used to quantify and compare antimicrobial usage in pig production in four EU countries

Evaluation of the relationship between the biosecurity status, production parameters, herd characteristics and antimicrobial usage in farrow-to-finish pig production in four EU countries

Background: High antimicrobial usage and the threat of antimicrobial resistance highlighted the need for reduced antimicrobial usage in pig production. Prevention of disease however, is necessary to obtain a reduced need for antimicrobial treatment. This study aimed at assessing possible associations between the biosecurity level, antimicrobial usage and farm and production characteristics in order to advice on best practices for a low antimicrobial usage and maximum animal health and production. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 227 farrow-to-finish pig herds in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden between December 2012 and December 2013. Associations between biosecurity status, antimicrobial usage, and production parameters were evaluated with multivariable general linear models, according to an assumed causal pathway. Results: The results showed that higher antimicrobial usage in sows tended to be associated with higher antimicrobial usage from birth until slaughter (p = 0.06). The antimicrobial usage from birth until slaughter was positively associated with the number of pathogens vaccinated against (p < 0.01). A shorter farrowing rhythm (p < 0.01) and a younger weaning age (p = 0.06) tended to be also associated with a higher antimicrobial usage from birth until slaughter whereas a better external biosecurity (p < 0.01) was related with a lower antimicrobial usage from birth until slaughter. Conclusion: Management practices such as weaning age and biosecurity measures may be important factors indirectly impacting on antimicrobial usage. We therefore promote a holistic approach when assessing the potential to reduce the need for antimicrobial treatments

Assigning Defined Daily Doses Animal: a European multi-country experience

In order to be able to compare antimicrobial usage data between countries with a uniform quantification method a Defined Daily Dose Animal (DDDA) per active substance was defined. Information of 731 antimicrobial products licensed for use in porcine medicine in four EU countries was used to establish mean DDDAs for 83 unique active substances (AS) including combinations of different AS. Common DDDAs were defined in spite of large variations in the authorized dosages for the same active substances and administration routes. These DDDAs will be used to quantify and compare antimicrobial usage in pig production in four EU countries.</p

The biosecurity status of pig herds differs among countries, is higher in larger herds and herds managed by university educated farmers

National audienc

Antimicrobial use and biosecurity practices in pig production in four European countries, comparison, associations and opportunities

International audienceIntroduction: The global development and spread of antimicrobial resistance is largely driven by the extensive use of antimicrobials both in human and animal medicine. Within livestock production, pig husbandry has been identified as one of the main consumers of antimicrobials. To allow for the development of plans for antimicrobial usages reduction, first a detailed understanding of the current use and its associations with animal health and production characteristics is required. Materials and Methods: We studied the antimicrobial use in 227 pig herds originating from 4 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden) and its association with animal health, production, biosecurity and other disease prevention measures. Each farm was visited once to collect detailed information on the antimicrobial consumption, internal and external biosecurity, technical performances, health characteristics and vaccination practices. A causal path was designed to study associations between biosecurity status, antimicrobial usage, and production parameters. Results: Huge differences in antimicrobial use were observed within and between countries with an average treatment incidence from birth till slaughter of 243 in Germany (42 for the sows), in Belgium 143 (16 for sows), in France 108 (22 for sows) and in Sweden 23 (11 for sows). These results indicate that an average fattener was treated 10 times more with antimicrobials in Germany than in Sweden. As the biosecurity is concerned, Sweden had on average the highest total biosecurity status (63.7), followed by Germany (63.0), France (58.6) and Belgium (57.8) In all countries external biosecurity scored higher compared to internal biosecurity. It was found that antimicrobial usage in sows was significantly associated with the antimicrobial usage from birth till slaughter in the growers, the use of anti-inflammatory products in weaners and the number of pathogens vaccinated against, suggesting an overall higher disease pressure. Higher antimicrobial usage from birth till slaughter was associated with a shorter farrowing rhythm and a younger weaning age, whereas a better external biosecurity was related with a lower antimicrobial usage. A higher external biosecurity was associated with more weaned piglets per sow per year. Conclusion: Overall the study showed high variation both in antimicrobial usage, biosecurity and management practices indicating substantial room for improvement. Moreover some cross country associations were identified allowing for potential interventions such as using a longer farrowing rhythm, weaning of the piglets at an older age and improvement of the biosecurity statu

Factors influencing pig farmers' and veterinarians' intention to reduce antimicrobial usage in six european countries

International audienceVeterinary antimicrobial (AM) usage should be reduced to mitigate the development of AM resistance. This study investigated factors that influence pig farmers’ intention to reduce AM usage and veterinarians’ reported reduction behaviour; these are a prerequisite for actual behaviour. A survey was conducted among 1,294 pig farmers and 334 veterinarians in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland to assess the perceived risks, benefits and need of AM usage, potential for AM usage reduction, farmers’ self-efficacy (i.e. perceived own abilities to reduce AM usage), relation with farmers as clients and support from veterinarian. Farmers’ self-efficacy and perceived feasibility of AM usage reduction were the main predictors of farmers’ intention to reduce AM usage and veterinarians’ reduction behaviour, respectively. To promote prudent AM usage, pig farmers need to learn how to control their AM usage by applying alternative measures, whereas veterinarians should strengthen their advisory role to support and educate farmer