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Written question asked by Greg Knight (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 June 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 July 2018 (named day). It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Monday, 2 July 2018 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Pigs: Antibiotics

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the trends in antibiotic usage in the UK pig sector over the most recent five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

The latest data announced by the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board show that antibiotic use in the pig industry has fallen by 53% from 278 mg/kg in 2015 to 131 mg/kg in 2017.

Defra recognises the progress that has been made and continues to work with the pig industry to implement their target to reduce antibiotic use to 99 mg/kg by 2020. This will be underpinned by improvements in biosecurity, husbandry practices and disease prevention.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
157669
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Antibiotics Disease control Pigs
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk