Tackling antimicrobial resistance with Medicine Hub

Criticism about perceived overuse and/or misuse of antimicrobials (including antibiotics) is often levelled at livestock farmers without an understanding of their primary goal to protect an animal’s health and welfare.

However, livestock producers can play their part in reducing reliance on antimicrobials, particularly the Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HP-CIA) used to treat the most serious human infections to help preserve the effectiveness of existing products.

Farmers and vets can take a responsible approach to antimicrobials by using ‘as little as possible, but as much as necessary’.

With industry-wide support, AHDB has developed the Medicine Hub to collate antimicrobial use for the cattle and sheep sectors. This online facility is intended to provide the evidence needed on a national basis for low and responsible use of antimicrobials in ruminants.