In the European Union, the use of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in animal feed was banned from 1st January 2006. David Burch, based in the UK and AASV’s e-Letter Section Editor on antimicrobial resistance, was asked to comment on the impact the ban would have on the EU pig industry but also on the potential implications for AASV members and their swine industry. The EU ban is not an end game in itself but the first major step in a call for a worldwide ban on the use of antibiotics to promote livestock growth.
AASV members can read David’s report at: http://www.aasv.org/members/only/eletter/burch2006/.