Farmers' Perceptions of Preventing Antibiotic Resistance on Sheep and Beef Farms: Risk, Responsibility, and Action

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious public health risks facing humanity. The overuse of antibiotics in the treatment of infectious disease have been identified as sources of the global threat of antibiotic resistance. This paper examines how farmers perceive and manage risks associated with overuse of antibiotics. Specifically, the paper examines the role of habitus and risk in determining farmers' decisions to adopt national antibiotic reduction targets set by members of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance's Targets Task Force. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 sheep and beef farmers in England and Wales. Farmers presented four scripts which illuminated reasons for limited adoption of the targets. The scripts presented the farmers as "good farmers" facing an emerging threat to their ontological security. Scripts suggested that they engaged in preventative measures but deflected responsibility for reducing antibiotic resistance to veterinarians and poorly run farms. This research provides valuable insights for policy makers and highlight the benefits of including social science research to support effective implementation.

Veterinary Interventions to Improve Neonatal Survival on British Beef and Sheep Farms: A Qualitative Study

“…Beef and sheep producers have some of the lowest levels of use among the UK livestock sectors ( 36 ), but are still subject to pressure to minimise use where possible. Preventive antibiotic use was uncommon in neonatal calves in the experience of the participants, but neonatal loss has been identified as “hotspot” for antibiotic use in sheep ( 22 ). Oral antibiotics are used widely to prevent and treat bacterial gastrointestinal infections (“watery mouth”) in lambs, and were the main subject of the discussions.…”

“…This can be a source of job dissatisfaction for vets working with farm animals, contributing to farm vets pursuing other career paths and consequent workforce issues in rural veterinary practice ( 21 ). Low veterinary involvement on beef and sheep farms has been identified as a key challenge in achieving reductions in antibiotic use, with neonatal loss as one of the major drivers of high antibiotic use ( 22 ). The farm business income from grazing livestock enterprises in the UK is significantly lower than all other livestock production sectors ( 23 ), which may restrict the resources available to invest in veterinary input.…”

Animal Production With Restrictive Use of Antibiotics to Contain Antimicrobial Resistance in Sweden—A Qualitative Study

“…They were more eager to describe their daily efforts to keep their animals healthy, possibly reflecting policy efforts to focus on preventive animal health work. Farmers in other countries in Europe and the US acknowledge the need for reducing antibiotic use, but some believe in the necessity of antibiotics for a good profit in animal production ( 25 , 30 , 31 ). To change farmers' perceptions and practices, it has been suggested that veterinarians could play a role as sources of information and to facilitate learning processes ( 25 , 30 ).…”

“…In the present study informants highlighted the close network of farmers and veterinarians and said this was a facilitating factor. The opposite situation was described among sheep and beef farmers in the UK who reported taking decisions themselves regarding when to treat their animals with antibiotics ( 31 ). Industry veterinarians in the present study seemed to play a role as a link between veterinary authorities and the farmers.…”

Antibiotics Use in Food Animal Production: Escalation of Antimicrobial Resistance: Where Are We Now in Combating AMR?

“…Despite the important responsibility of food animal producers to reduce antibiotic use in animal agriculture, little or vague understanding exists regarding antibiotics use and antibiotics resistance, and recent regional, national, and international regulations to address the challenges associated with AMR have not been perceived well. As an instance, many food animal producers are either not aware or slightly aware of the VFD statement in the US or other similar national rules in other countries, and some of the farmers are perceived these regulations as not useful [ 49 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ]. More awareness regarding the VFD or other similar plans in other countries and understanding the impact of AMR are needed among agricultural animal producers.…”