Evolution of antimicrobial usages in dairy and beef cattle industries: state of progress and prospects

Abstract

This paper presents the actions carried out to allow a decrease of the use of antimicrobials in the French cattle industry during the EcoAntibio action plan. The data on antimicrobial sales and uses show a global decrease along the years, especially for critically important antimicrobials, with a contrast depending on the type of production. The different partners in the cattle industry were strongly involved to take actions, each at its level, and in a coordinated way with the others, in order to contribute to a rationalized use of antimicrobials. The paper presents actions carried out to promote biosecurity measures on farms, the change of different husbandry and adviser practices, the improvement of farm housing and the use of vaccination. The veterinary profession has proposed clear guidelines for antimicrobials prescription, and different regulatory measures were implemented. The use of therapeutic alternatives is presented, with the difficulties encountered and the regulatory constraints. Different outputs from social sciences are presented, concerning the points of view and representations on antimicrobials use, the conditions required to decrease this use of antimicrobials on farm, the difficulties related to the involvement of different stakeholders/actors. Different perspectives are proposed, from a technical, sociological and organizational point of view.