Thread by @SavageSusannah

1/ Strict new rules on the use of #antibiotics and other #antimicrobials in pigs, chickens and other #farm animals come into force today across the #EU. What do the changes mean - and are they good for animals and consumers? A thread//

2/ In 2019 alone 5m deaths were connected to #AntimicrobialResistance (#AMR), according to a recent @TheLancet report. The deadly, drug-resistant infections behind these deaths come about because of the over- and misuse of antimicrobials, which makes bacteria resistant to them

3/ When drug-resistant bugs develop in animals because of antibiotic overuse they can easily spread to humans - often through #food. For example, rates of drug-resistant #salmonella have risen - & infections mainly come from #chicken & other #poultry. imperial.ac.uk/news/170889/an…

4/ To stop this, from today EU #farmers can no longer dose animals en masse with antimicrobials for preventative purposes, nor can they use the drugs to compensate for poor hygiene and animal husbandry practices. Group dosing for growth promotion is already banned.

5/ While welcoming these changes to curb #AMR , campaign groups & health organisations like @EPHA_EU have raised concerns that the new rules may be flouted. epha.org/ending-routine…

6/ This new report from @EPHA_EU shows that some countries are far less prepared than others. Sweden uses fewer antibiotics per animal & only 10% are given to animals en masse. But in high-using countries like Spain over 75% of drugs are administered as group treatments.

7/ The countries that use the most antimicrobials on farm animals are also those with the lowest #animalwelfare standards. Antimicrobial use cannot be fully reduced unless intensive #farming is addressed, warns the report.

8/ Eventually the new EU rules are likely to impact countries wanting to export animal products to the EU. #China, #Brazil and the #US are the biggest users of antimicrobials on livestock, but industrial farming is taking off in other parts of the world too - especially #Asia.

9/ UK exporters could also fall foul of EU rules. Before #Brexit, the #UK was a leader in pushing for better animal welfare standards and lower agricultural antibiotic use. But so far the @govuk hasn't committed to introducing rules in line with the EU’s - despite calls to do so.