April 24, 2014

In order to optimise the use of antibiotics in Certus companies, the Belgian pig association Belpork NPI launched a monitoring programme from January 1, 2014.

In a first phase all issued antibiotics will be registered via an online registration platform. The registered data will be analysed and will result in recommendations in the long term to utilise antibiotics in a sustainable and sensible way. The ultimate objective is to contribute in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

There is as yet no registration programme for antibiotics within the sector. Belpork NPI therefore decided to develop a database in which antibiotic use is registered per company. From January 1, 2014, every Certus producer was required to register all antibiotics that are supplied to his company. In a follow-up phase, Belpork will analyse the collected data and advise each producer individually on a sensible and sustainable way to use antibiotics in his company, and to reduce it if necessary. For data processing, Belpork NPI entered in a cooperation accord with AMCRA (Antimicrobial Consumption and Resistance in Animals), the Knowledge Centre for antibiotic use and resistance in animals.