The poultry sector has published figures showing a 71% reduction in antibiotic usage over a four-year period.
The British Poultry Council (BPC) has published its 2017 Antibiotic Stewardship Report.
The BPC said that based on ensuring sustainable use of antibiotics, the UK poultry meat sector is seeking to protect the health and welfare of birds, safeguard the efficacy of antibiotics and to produce food consumers trust.
2016 saw the industry stopping the use of the prophylactic use of antibiotics and stoping the use of Colistin.
The industry agreed new antibiotic standards for Red Tractor Poultry Assurance, which will come into force in October 2017.
Over the period of 2012 to 2016 the UK poultry meat sector reduced its use of antibiotics by weight by 71%, or 23.72 tonnes, in 2016.
Across the same period poultry meat production has increased by 11% (1.79 million tonnes in 2016).
'Still much to be done'
BPC Chairman John Reed said the industry is 'delighted' with the results but there is still much work to be done.
He said: “Our Antibiotic Stewardship continuously reviews on-farm management practices to ensure sustainable use of antibiotics throughout our supply chain.”
Antibiotic use, and antimicrobial resistance, in humans and animals is one of the biggest health challenges people face on a global scale.
Mr Reed concluded: “Our farmers and veterinarians need antibiotics in their toolbox to treat sick birds – zero use is not an option – and we will protect the health and welfare of our birds.
“We will safeguard the efficacy of antibiotics as part of sustainable food production, and we will continue to feed the nation.”
The next challenge for the sector is examining the link between antibiotic use and resistance in the poultry production chain.
