THE total volume of antibiotics sold for livestock farming has reached its lowest point since tracking began a decade ago, according to a new report.

However, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) report indicates a rise in antibiotic usage in certain agricultural sectors.

The recently revealed figures show that antibiotic sales for food-producing animals have decreased by 59% since 2014.

Sales of antibiotics deemed critically important to human health remain at 'extremely low' levels, representing less than half a percent of total veterinary antibiotic sales.

This year's report marks the 10th year of collecting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data from pigs and poultry in the monitoring programme, and for the first time, it includes AMR data from sheep, beef and dairy cattle.

The decade-long decline in antibiotic use in food-producing animals and other farming sectors has led to reduced AMR levels.

However, the VMD warned that any rise in usage in certain sectors, as seen in this year's report, could lead to an increase in AMR levels if these trends continue.

This underscores the need for ongoing antibiotic stewardship in the farming industry, as highlighted in the VMD's report.

AMR is a significant global issue, impacting human and animal health, food security and economic growth.

It occurs when bacteria and other microorganisms evolve to resist antimicrobial drugs like antibiotics, making these treatments less effective or even ineffective in both animals and humans.

New projections suggest that over 39 million deaths due to bacterial AMR could occur between now and 2050.

Minimising unnecessary antibiotic use in both humans and animals is seen as vital to slowing the progression of antibiotic resistance.

Abi Seager, CEO of the VMD, said: “The positive trends demonstrate the dedication of the UK’s farmers and vets to ensure responsible antibiotic use in animals.

“I am especially proud of our AMR surveillance programme which continues to expand and become more robust."

Catherine McLaughlin, chair of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), said the latest results show that the combined efforts of farmers to tackle AMR are 'clearly paying off'.

"The fact that AMR continues to decline with multi-drug resistance in animals at an all-time low, should be applauded," she said.

“These latest results will undoubtedly give everyone the ongoing confidence and continued focus to build on what is already done and be as ambitious as possible."