This marks the second consecutive year of increased antimicrobial consumption, primarily due to higher usage of neomycin and apramycin for treating diarrhea in weaning piglets.
Notably, the increase in antimicrobial consumption, measured in kg of active substance, is only for weaned pigs, but the proportion of treated pigs has risen across all age groups.
“Besides the increased consumption due to the cessation of medicinal zinc for weaning piglets, much of the increased antimicrobial consumption for piglets can be explained by the rise in piglet production in Denmark. At the same time, the number of slaughter pigs has decreased. In addition to the increased consumption of neomycin and apramycin, the consumption of macrolides for treating pigs of all age groups has also risen,” says senior researcher Marianne Sandberg from the DTU National Food Institute.
Cessation of Medicinal Zinc Consumption
Between 2022 and 2023, the consumption of medicinal zinc ceased, and the legislation regarding the dosing and duration of antimicrobial treatment for animals was changed. Both factors can impact antimicrobial usage.
Antimicrobials for Cattle, Poultry, Pets, and Aquaculture
The report shows a decrease in antimicrobials consumption in adult cattle, with narrow-spectrum penicillins being the most used. However, consumption in calves under one year increased, with macrolides and amphenicols being the most common. Antimicrobial consumption in poultry and aquaculture decreased, while the consumption in pets increased due to more combination products with sulfonamides and trimethoprim.
