New recommendations for monitoring use of antibiotics on beef farms

An industry standard for measuring and monitoring antibiotic use on beef farms has been agreed following extensive industry consultation.

The new recommendations complement those previously agreed for monitoring antibiotic use on dairy and sheep farms.   

The recommendations developed by the Cattle Health and Welfare Group’s (CHAWG) Antimicrobial Usage (AMU) Subgroup are based on research work undertaken by the University of Bristol and extensive industry consultation.

The measures will help beef farmers understand where they are in relation to the antibiotic use targets set by representatives of the beef sector within RUMA’s Targets Task Force in 2017, and to continue delivering reductions and refinements in use once new post-2020 targets are announced at the end of the year.