Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for pigs

Increased use of antimicrobials can result in resistance issues. This can reduce the effectiveness of antimicrobials in animal production and also increases the risk of resistance in human health.

The antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for pigs provides guidance to veterinarians on prevention and treatment options for bacterial diseases, including the selection and use of antimicrobial products registered in Australia for use in pigs.

The guidelines focus on antimicrobial stewardship practices and ensures that treatments are used in an appropriate way to secure their use and efficacy for the future.

Value for producers:

• Good stewardship practices ensure that vets have access to effective treatments, thereby reducing consultation costs for producers, and ensuring the health and welfare of pigs.
• Stewardship also demonstrates industry's commitment to producing food in a way that does not place environmental or human health at risk.

Recommendations:

• There is a strong focus on removing medications from feed because this generally requires a longer, less controllable duration of antimicrobial use, and has greater potential for environmental contamination.
• Going forward, the aim is to optimise herd management, nutrition, environment, air quality, and early disease detection. This will reduce the need for and amount of antimicrobials used.