Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the most significant challenges facing both veterinary and human medicine. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) recognises AMR as “an issue of critical importance to society as a whole” and calls for strong leadership across the profession to ensure responsible prescribing and responsible use of antimicrobials in food‑producing animals.
This post summarises the core guidance from the BVA Policy Position on the Responsible Use of Antimicrobials in Food Producing Animals, offering a clear, practical overview for veterinary professionals working in farm and production animal sectors.
Why Responsible Antimicrobial Use Matters
Antimicrobials are essential tools for treating infectious diseases, safeguarding animal welfare, and protecting public health. However, every use of an antimicrobial increases selection pressure for resistant organisms. As the BVA states:
“Each use of an antibiotic and other antimicrobials increases the risk of selection for resistant bacteria.”
Responsible use is therefore a shared obligation across vets, farmers, industry bodies, and government — all within a One Health framework that recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Core Principles of Responsible Use
The BVA outlines seven foundational principles that should guide antimicrobial decision‑making on farms:
- Work with clients to avoid the need for antimicrobials
- Avoid inappropriate use
- Choose the right drug for the right bug
- Monitor antimicrobial sensitivity
- Minimise use
- Record and justify deviations from protocols
- Report suspected treatment failures
These principles underpin every recommendation in the policy.
Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HP‑CIAs)
HP‑CIAs — including fluoroquinolones, 3rd/4th generation cephalosporins, and colistin — must be used with extreme caution.
The BVA emphasises that these medicines should be:
- Restricted to last‑resort use
- Supported by sensitivity or diagnostic testing
- Never used for prophylaxis
- Considered alongside alternatives, including euthanasia where appropriate
Despite restrictions, the BVA stresses that critically important antibiotics must remain available for veterinary use where no viable alternatives exist.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Improving animal health and welfare is the most effective way to reduce antimicrobial use. Preventive strategies should include:
- Strong biosecurity
- Robust herd/flock health plans
- Vaccination programmes
- Improved husbandry and management
- Regular review of preventive medicine protocols
The BVA recommends that every farm should have a documented and regularly reviewed preventive medicine programme.
Veterinary Prescribing Responsibilities
Prescribing vets must ensure:
- Treatment is justified and documented
- Culture and sensitivity testing is used wherever possible
- Dosages and regimens are based on best available evidence
- Withdrawal periods are clearly communicated
- Medicated feed or water is used only for diagnosed disease and disposed of responsibly
The policy strongly supports the EU‑wide ban on antibiotics for growth promotion.
Metaphylaxis and Prophylaxis
Metaphylaxis may be appropriate when disease is confirmed within a group, but must be justified and recorded. Prophylaxis should be avoided wherever possible and limited to individual animals under clearly defined high‑risk circumstances.
Every veterinary practice should have a written metaphylaxis policy.
Off‑Label Use and the Cascade
Off‑label antimicrobial use must be:
- Carefully justified
- Documented
- Based on clinical judgement
- Supported by sensitivity testing where possible
Withdrawal periods must follow statutory minimums or SPC guidance, whichever is longer.
Farm Assurance and Sector Targets
Farm assurance schemes should include responsible antimicrobial use as a core requirement. Vets should also familiarise themselves with sector‑specific antimicrobial reduction targets developed through the RUMA Targets Task Force.
Data, Surveillance, and Farmer Engagement
Improved data capture, benchmarking, and communication between vets, farmers, labs, and national bodies is essential for tackling AMR. Farmers play a crucial role and should be empowered through education, facilitation, and incentives.
One Health Collaboration
The BVA strongly supports a One Health approach, bringing together human, animal, and environmental health sectors to address AMR collaboratively and constructively.
📄 Full Policy Document
For a complete and detailed reading of all recommendations, evidence, and context, please refer to the full BVA policy PDF:
BVA Policy Position on the Responsible Use of Antimicrobials in Food Producing Animals
