February 2, 2011

Swedish dairy farmers to issue antibiotics in pilot project

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Swedish dairy farmers are set to issue antibiotics to their cows, as a pilot project is about to be introduced to the industry shortly.

Minister for Rural Affairs, Eskil Erlandsson, had called for the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) to allow 50 dairy farms to issue benzylpenicillin to its cows under close surveillance by vets. Many vets have opposed the project and warned of increased use and development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Dairy farmer Per Andersson said that the project was required to ensure Swedish farmers could meet the competition from Denmark where farmers already issue antibiotics. He did not believe it would lead to increased use as cows had to be quarantined after treatment to ensure no traces are left in the milk, which lead to high costs for the farmer.