Danish animal producers are pleased with the continuous decline in the use of antibiotics for animals
The use of antibiotics for animals in Denmark has declined for the third year in a row. That is stated in the annual DANMAP-supervision from 2016, from the Statens Serum Institute, Technical University of Denmark’s National Veterinary Institute (DTU) and Technical University of Denmark’s National Food Institute (DTU).
In 2016 around 5 percent less antibiotics were used on Danish animals than the year before, measured in kilos. It is the third year in a row that a decline has been registered. The use has declined within several industries including pigs, cattle, poultry and fish. The Danish animal manufacturers have been well renowned for having a very low consumption of antibiotics for decades.
After a year of higher consumption of antibiotics than usually, caused by serious outbreaks of disease in the broiler production, the consumption is now declining again. We are talking about a decline of no less than 36 pct. (880 kg) from 2015 to 2016. The consumption is thereby back to a level like before the outbreak of disease.
The Danish Agriculture & Food Council have been very pleased with the results and president for the boiler section Martin Hjort Jensen comments:
“It is with great pleasure that we can demonstrate the use of antibiotics in the boiler industry to be in decline, after being hit by a serious outbreak of disease a couple of years ago. This means that the farmer’s hard work and focus on protection from transmission of diseases has worked, he says and continues: The Danish poultry industry has for many years had a restricted attitude to the use of antibiotics and the producers’ focus on it is decisive for Denmark’s position as a frontrunner in this area. However, we should not forget that if our animals are weak they should receive treatment”
For more information you can turn to Danish Agriculture & Food Council, press consultant, Linda Gjaldbæk Hansen, +45 26 84 28 80, email: lgjh@lf.dk
Source: Danish Agriculture & Food Council