Global trends in antimicrobial use in food-producing animals: 2020 to 2030

Abstract

Use of antimicrobials in farming has enabled the growth of intensive animal production and helped in meeting the global increase in demand for animal protein. However, the widespread use of veterinary antimicrobials drives antimicrobial resistance, with important consequences for animal health, and potentially human health. Global monitoring of antimicrobial use is essential: first, to track progress in reducing the reliance of farming on antimicrobials. Second, to identify countries where antimicrobial-stewardship efforts should be targeted to curb antimicrobial resistance. Data on usage of antimicrobials in food animals were collected from 42 countries. Multivariate regression models were used in combination with projections of animal counts for cattle, sheep, chicken, and pigs from the Food and Agriculture Organization to estimate global antimicrobial usage of veterinary antimicrobials in 2020 and 2030. Maps of animal densities were used to identify geographic hotspots of antimicrobial use. In each country, estimates of antimicrobial use (tonnes) were calibrated to match continental-level reports of antimicrobial use intensity (milligrams per kilogram of animal) from the World Organization for Animal Health, as well as country-level reports of antimicrobial use from countries that made this information publicly available. Globally, antimicrobial usage was estimated at 99,502 tonnes (95% CI 68,535–198,052) in 2020 and is projected, based on current trends, to increase by 8.0% to 107,472 tonnes (95% CI: 75,927–202,661) by 2030. Hotspots of antimicrobial use were overwhelmingly in Asia (67%), while <1% were in Africa. Findings indicate higher global antimicrobial usage in 2030 compared to prior projections that used data from 2017; this is likely associated with an upward revision of antimicrobial use in Asia/Oceania (~6,000 tonnes) and the Americas (~4,000 tonnes). National-level reporting of antimicrobial use should be encouraged to better evaluate the impact of national policies on antimicrobial use levels.

Trend of Antimicrobial Use in Food-Producing Animals from 2018 to 2020 in Nepal

“…Lack of such a mechanism at a national level might influence the government policies and stewardship initiatives to curb AMU. It may also hinder additional epidemiological studies related to the AMU on a national scale, such as determining a country’s antibiotic footprint using national trade data [ 16 ]. On a positive note, in Nepal, despite a lack of a formal national database on AMU in animals, Veterinary Standards and Drug Regulatory Laboratory (VSDRL), a focal office responsible for AMU reporting to WOAH, has been collecting data on AMU through its network to report to the WOAH annually.…”

I5 | Poultry feather analysis: A potential tool for assessing compliance with antimicrobial use policies?

“…By 2030, the global use of antimicrobials for animal production is expected to increase 67%, from 63 tons to 105 tons, mainly because of the growing demand for animal protein in lowand middle-income countries (4,5). At global level the antimicrobial agents most used in food production animals are tetracyclines, macrolides, sulfonamides and penicillins (6,7).…”

Development of a Lateral-Flow Immunochromatographic Strip for the Detection of Oxytetracycline Residues in Biological Fluids

“…Antibiotics are commonly used in humans and animals. According to a previous study, antibiotics used in animals are approximately 70–75% of the total antibiotics used around the globe in 2017 . Tetracyclines are widely used antibiotics for the treatment of different diseases in poultry, swine, cattle, and sheep.…”