gov ie - Minister McConalogue welcomes the announcement of a Statement of Intent around the Voluntary Cessation of Use of Colistin in the Animal Health sector in Ireland gov.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gov.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
December 12, 2020 12:00 pm
During their productive life, pigs are frequently exposed to infectious bacteria that cause respiratory and digestive diseases resulting in a significant economic impact for the swine industry.
Medication for the prevention of disease, including nervous, intestinal and respiratory infections is common in many countries, including Ireland. But antimicrobials in food animals have become a scientific, political and public concern.
The safe use of antimicrobials is part of Ireland’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2020 (INAP). The plan, and proposed legislation, means changes to the pig industry.
Vets and farmers are encouraged to reduce the amount of antibiotics given (especially in feed) and discouraged from using certain types of antibiotics (deemed critically important).