They also called for more information to be given to vets and farmers to minimise the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals – a statement supported by RUMA.

The NFU Brussels office commented that veterinary medicines should be used ‘as little as possible, but as much as necessary’ and added that the UK was already leading the way in Europe through its Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) initiative to help educate farmers.

RUMA, at a UK level and EPRUMA, across the EU, promote the responsible use of all animal medicines, including antimicrobials.

See here for RUMA’s practical guidelines on the use of antimicrobials in pigs, poultry, cattle, sheep and fish. Guidelines are also available on the responsible use of vaccines.