Socio-economic assessment of a program for the reduction of antimicrobial use in the pig sector: the Ecoantibio 1 Plan

Abstract

The fight against antimicrobial resistance represents one of the major public health challenges of the 21^st century. Animal agriculture is an important user of antimicrobials, and may therefore contribute to the risk of resistance in public health. In France, the Ecoantibio plan was implemented between 2012 and 2016, to limit the use of antimicrobials in the livestock sector. coantibio plan consists of a voluntary research education and outreach program coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture. The purpose of our retrospective evaluation is to present the plan’s effects in the pig sector, which has experienced the greatest decline in terms of antimicrobial use over the period. The socio-economic effects of the Ecoantibio plan appear moderate, concerning the changes of practices, structural transformations and economic effects. Indeed, the plan is part of a dynamic already at work, initiated by other public policies and private initiatives such as the moratorium on the last generation of cephalosporins. Regarding technical aspects, most of the alternatives to antibiotics existed before the plan was implemented, such as vaccination or biosecurity programs. Relations between stakeholders in the pork sector have been little impacted by the plan or have been strengthened. Finally, the plan had no significant impact on the growth of pigs or on the incomes of the different stakeholders. Ultimately, the Ecoantibio plan amplified an ongoing dynamic, while providing a regulatory framework to practices already in place.