Exploring Perspectives on Antimicrobial Use in Livestock: A Mixed-Methods Study of UK Pig Farmers

Abstract

Increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance in human and veterinary medicine have raised concerns over the irresponsible use of antimicrobials. The role of administering antimicrobials in food producing animals most frequently falls to the farmer, therefore it is essential that their use of antimicrobials is both optimal and responsible. This study sought in-depth information on the drivers behind antimicrobial use behaviors and farmer attitudes to responsible use using a mixed-methodological approach. Initially, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposively selected sample of farmers ( n = 22). A thematic analysis approach was taken to identify key themes from these qualitative data. The generalizability and variation of these themes was then tested on a larger randomly selected sample of pig farmers through a questionnaire study ( n = 261). The influences behind antimicrobial use were complex with multiple drivers motivating decisions. There was no consensual opinion on what farming systems resulted in either a low or high antimicrobial requirement however, farmers reported that good management practices, low stocking densities, and a high health status were associated with low antimicrobial use. Farmers expressed desire to avoid the long-term use of in-feed antimicrobials, but identified barriers to discontinuing such behaviors, such as pig morbidity, mortality, and economic losses. The high cost of antimicrobials was described as a motivation toward seeking alternative methods of controlling disease to prophylactic use; however, this expense was balanced against the losses from an increased burden of disease. The high financial costs involved in pig production alongside the economic uncertainty of production and pressure from retailers, were identified as limiting the scope for improvements in pig accommodation and facilities which could reduce the antimicrobial requirements on farm. Long-term, sustainable and economically stable relationships between retailers and farmers may allow farmers to make necessary investments in improving management and housing in order to reduce antimicrobial use. Greater use and more widespread deployment of effective vaccinations were highlighted by farmers as being a feasible alternative to antimicrobial use in preventing disease.

Antimicrobial use practices and opinions of beef farmers in England and Wales

“…The low use of third‐generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones may be why only 55 per cent of farmers were aware of CIAs, and even fewer could name one. A slightly higher proportion (60 per cent) of UK pig farmers were aware of CIAs 13. Although beef farmers seem to be low users of CIAs, it is still important to improve the awareness levels in case their veterinarian prescribes them CIAs in the future.…”

An Enhanced Variant Designed From DLP4 Cationic Peptide Against Staphylococcus aureus CVCC 546

“…The interactions among animals, humans, and the environment have also strengthened the spreading of ARB (Cheng et al, 2013;Laxminarayan et al, 2013;Maertens et al, 2019). These factors not only affect the effectiveness of prevention and treatment of animal diseases but also may endanger public safety (Coyne et al, 2016(Coyne et al, , 2019. Therefore, alternatives to antibiotics have become the spotlights of research in recent years (Lammie and Hughes, 2016;Moravej et al, 2018a).…”

Antimicrobial Resistance in Humans and Animals: Rapid Review of Psychological and Behavioral Determinants

“…In a later mixed-methods study with UK pig farmers [30], Coyne et al concluded that influences were complex, but that reduced AM use was associated with good management practices, low stocking densities and good animal health. The high cost of AMs could be a driver to reduce usage for farmers, but this was offset by improvements in pig health.…”

“…The high cost of AMs could be a driver to reduce usage for farmers, but this was offset by improvements in pig health. Vaccination was also viewed as a feasible alternative to AM use by the majority of farmers, but few quoted concerns about AMR as a driver to reducing AM use [30].…”