'Surprise and disappointment' have been expressed by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) over a new fundraising campaign launched by the Soil Association.
RUMA fears the campaign could set back the progress made on reducing use of antibiotics across the UK farming industry.
The Soil Association's 'Save Our Antibiotics' campaign in question seeks to educate people on the merits of high welfare, sustainable farming systems and the opportunity they present to bring about 'immediate and dramatic' reductions in antibiotic use.
RUMA, an independent agriculture and food industry alliance, has been driving the industry’s response to the challenge of antibiotic resistance while ensuring animal health and welfare is safeguarded.
But the Chairman of RUMA, Gwyn Jones, said he was taken aback by what he says as the 'incorrect facts' and 'lack of knowledge' of industry progress in the campaign messages.
He also said the antibiotic resistance issue could be used as a vehicle to promote philosophical, commercial or fundraising objectives.
'Divisiveness'
He said his biggest concern was the 'divisiveness' of the campaign.
“Denigrating certain farming systems is likely to alienate and demotivate the vast number of first-rate conventional farmers across the UK who are already implementing change in order to play their part in tackling this global issue. It’s probably not an approach many of our excellent organic farmers will feel entirely comfortable with either.
“Furthermore, antibiotic resistance is a One Health issue across human and animal medicine with good progress being made in both; efforts to divide along these lines too, when we should all be working together, are unhelpful.”
In response, he challenged the campaign group to end its approach and work with the wider agricultural industry on areas of mutual interest.
He continued: “A 10% reduction in antibiotic sales into the farming industry in a single year, a halving in antibiotics prescribed in feed for young pigs, and poultry meat companies stopping all use of preventative antibiotics can only be described as remarkable progress and tremendous commitment from all involved.
“These changes are supported by vets as well as retailer and processor supply chains, who are already acutely aware of the issue of antibiotic resistance and are being both proactive and resourceful in enabling producers to make sustainable changes.
'Attacking farming systems'
Mr Jones said while some campaign groups had fixed views on how farming should operate, they needed to recognise that livestock farming in the UK was broad and diverse, delivering healthy, affordable food while meeting high welfare standards.
“Attacking farming systems under the guise of campaigning to reduce antibiotics could lead to unintended consequences, such as the replacement of high quality and safe British food with cheaper imports,” he cautioned.
The Soil Association's campaign message ends with: "Your ongoing support prevents many animals from living a miserable, cramped existence in a factory farm. A further donation from you today will mean that together, we can prevent a human health disaster and continue to improve the lives of millions of farm animals."
