London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The UK Review on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has produced a new report that calls for a global reduction in the use of antibiotics in agriculture.

A global increase in the use of antimicrobials in expanding meat production has led to a corresponding rise in AMR in livestock. This report, chaired by Lord Jim O'Neill, provides evidence that the use of antimicrobials in animals, and environmental contamination by waste, are significant drivers of global levels of drug resistance. It highlights the risk that antimicrobial resistant bacteria may be transferred from animal products to humans while we prepare or cook food. 

In the US, an estimated 70% of medically important antimicrobials are also used in animals. Among other recommendations, this report suggests that the international community should reassess which antifungals and antibiotics are used in keeping animals healthy, particularly since these drugs are often used as a prophylactic measure or growth promotion among livestock, rather than targeted treatment.

Experts hope that this report will increase motivation to develop new vaccines and treatments for use in animals, combined with improved animal welfare, so that valuable drugs such as antimicrobials can be retained for use in people.

Brendan Wren, Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis and Dean of Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: "Unfortunately a lot of our food, particularly meat products can be contaminated with bacteria which are increasingly more resistant to antibiotics. Raw food products should be handled with care and appropriately cooked."