April 24, 2023

Belgium's antibiotic use in medicated feed cut by 84% in 2022 compared to decade ago

Belgium's animal feed sector has reduced the use of antibiotics in medicated feed by 84% in 2022 compared to 2011, thus surpassing the industry's goal of a 75% reduction by 2024.

Public concern about the use of antibiotics in livestock farming prompted the Belgian animal sector to fully commit to reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock. In 2011, the Belgian Feed Association founded the Centre of Expertise on Antimicrobial Consumption and Resistance in Animals (AMCRA) which created vision plans with various concrete objectives.

According to the first plan, known as Vision Plan 2020, the animal feed sector had to halve the production of feed medicated with antibiotics by the end of 2017 compared to 2011. This target was achieved. The second plan, Vision Plan 2024, stipulated that the reduction should increase further to 75% by 2024.

The decrease was possible due to various sector initiatives such as a six-monthly benchmarking of the Belgian Feed Association members, individual support for livestock farmers with high use of antibiotics, the introduction of electronic prescriptions and the ban of colistin in medicated feeds, among others.

- Vilt