Last week, the 2022 antibiotic figures for Dutch farm animals were published and the results were positive, according to a report from Dutch farmers' group LTO. 

The SDa annually compares antibiotic use figures with sales figures. She shows from this data that many animal farmers and veterinarians are successful in their efforts to structurally reduce the use of antibiotics. The focus will continue to be on reducing antibiotic use at structurally high-using companies and their veterinarians in the coming years in order to reduce the chance of the development and spread of resistant bacteria.

In the rabbit, pig and broiler sectors, the action plans of the sectors have led to positive results. Antibiotic use fell 32.4%, 23.8% and 7.6% in these sectors in 2022 and there are fewer companies with structurally high use. 

The cattle sector has shown a stable, low pattern of use since 2014. Antibiotic use in the turkey and calf sectors increased 4.0% and 5.6%, respectively, compared to use in 2021.

"We are pleased to see that our commitment in the various sectors is successful," said Jeannette van de Ven, portfolio holder Healthy Animals. "The Netherlands is at the forefront of the way within Europe when it comes to careful policy and management regarding the use of antibiotics and we can be quite proud of that."

Antibiotic sales fell 22.9% in 2022 from 2021. The decline from the government-designated reference year 2009 is now 77.4%.