"The key to unlocking continuous improvement" - BPC Antibiotic Stewardship Report 2023

The British Poultry Council has released its 2023 Antibiotic Stewardship Report, highlighting the significant achievements made by the members of the BPC Antibiotic Stewardship and their drive for excellence in bird health and welfare whilst safeguarding the efficacy of antibiotics across the supply chain.

Ongoing collaboration and engaging communication across the poultry meat sector is key to Stewardship Success. Sharing of data in the sector that is putting food on every table has helped achieve:

79.5% reduction in the total use of antibiotics since 2012.
Zero Fluoroquinolones used in chicken meat production in 2022.
98.7% reduction in use of Critically Important Antibiotics since 2012.

BPC Chief Executive, Richard Griffiths, said: “The safe and responsible use of antibiotics has been prioritised by the poultry meat industry since 2011. Our BPC Antibiotic Stewardship has seen routine preventative application stopped and overall antibiotic use decrease by nearly 80%.

A billion birds a year are reared for food in this country and our farmers have a duty of care to every single one. Part of that duty of care includes working with professional veterinarians to safeguard bird health and wellbeing by ensuring the sustainability of our antibiotics.

These figures demonstrate our approach to treatment in real time, striving to keep our antibiotics effective, and as a result, we remain under Government approved RUMA species-specific sector targets. Whilst it is important that we continue to challenge antibiotic use levels and strive for further reduction, it is crucial birdkeepers treat their birds under strict veterinary direction if required to ensure the health and welfare of their livestock is not compromised.

The BPC Antibiotic Stewardship has taken the lead in understanding use and impact, and is committed to maintaining an open and honest dialogue by sharing best practice experience across the sector. The Stewardship recognises that sharing information in a non-competitive forum is key to not only reducing overall antibiotic usage but also preserving the effectiveness of the limited number of antibiotic licenced for use in poultry species.

Preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics is critical to the long-term sustainability of the industry. As new alternate management practices and therapies come to market, these will be critically assessed, and the benefits and experiences gained shared across the sector. We believe this is the key to unlocking continuous improvement.”