August 11, 2014

Germany mandates reporting by livestock producers on antibiotic usage

The amended German Drug Act came into effect in July, making it mandatory for cattle, pig, chicken and turkey producers in Germany to record how often their animals are treated with antibiotics.

The new regulations, aimed at gradually reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock farming in Germany, are said to allow the relevant authorities assess the frequency of antibiotic usage on a farm and draw comparisons with other livestock holders.

German agriculture minister, Christian Schmidt, said the amendment was a critical turning point in ensuring limited use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. He said, "The system of recording and drawing comparisons... is intended to help minimise the use of antibiotics to what is necessary from a therapeutic viewpoint."

The reporting and control system also grants the state authorities in charge of veterinary drug monitoring far greater powers. For instance, livestock producers could be required by the authorities to implement certain changes in husbandry, animal feeding, stocking density or hygiene protocols, if they deem it necessary.

Pig, chicken or cattle producers who fail to file reports or observe the orders may be fined, or the authority may, as a last resort, order the temporary suspension of operations at a farm.

Currently, livestock farmers are required to report to the relevant authority every six months on what antibiotics they have administered, in what quantities, to which animals in that period. The reports must be filed with the competent authorities by 14 January 2015 at the latest, said the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).

Following an analysis of the reported usage data, the BVL said it will establish a nationwide 'farm-specific biannual therapeutic frequency' table by March next year. If a farm's individual index exceeds the federal average, the producers and veterinarians will have to jointly identify the causes and take steps to curb antibiotic use, it said.

"If a farm's index is among the highest 25%, the livestock producers, after having consulted with veterinarians, will have to draw up a written plan of measures to cut antimicrobial use and submit that to the competent authority," added the German food safety watchdog.