The end of antibiotic growth
promoters – some Questions & Answers
The questions:
The Answers:
Q: When did antibiotic
growth promoters stop being used in the UK?
A: There has been a gradual phase out, but use stopped completely on 31
December 2005.
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Q: In which other
countries has use stopped?
A: The decision taken to stop using AGPs affects the whole EU.
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Q: Why were AGPs
used?
A: The use of growth-promoting antibiotics has made a significant
contribution to keeping EU production costs competitive, by shortening
finishing times, lowering feed conversion rates, improving performance by
promoting better condition and vitality, reducing death rates and reducing
the need for therapeutic treatment.
Their use has always been optional: meat produced without the use of
antibiotic growth promoters has been produced to satisfy consumer choice.
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Q: Why was this use
stopped?
A: There was a change in policy in Europe towards the use of
antibiotics in this way, following concern expressed by some on the
potential hazard to human health, in particular in relation to antibiotic
resistance . In addition some consumers prefer to eat meat from animals that
have not been medicated with growth promoters. The group in which AGPs were
authorized has been removed from European legislation effectively banning
the products as from the beginning of 2006.
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Q: Is there scientific
evidence to support the ban of AGPs
A: No, that is why the use was able to be phased out until a final stop
at the end of December 2005. If there had been real health concerns, the
Commission would have insisted on use stopping immediately.
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Q: Have any previously
been banned and what has been the effect?
A: Yes, there have been products banned before. Some producers will have
switched to an AGP which remained on the market then: others will have
stopped using them.
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Q: What is the position outside the EU?
Legislation has
always been different, but use is regulated.
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Q: Is meat imported
from these countries?
A: Yes.
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Q: What does NOAH
think of the ban?
A: NOAH regrets the decision, which was not made on the basis of
scientific assessment. However, NOAH also supports upholding of the law, and
industry has been working with producers to help make a successful switch
away from AGPs.
The ban did not mean an overnight wholesale change in production - at the
time of the ban around 85% poultry meat was already produced without AGPs
and there had been a strong move towards this in pig production too.
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Q: Why have companies
lobbied in favour of continued AGP use?
A: Companies support science as a basis for decisions on whether a
product should or shouldn’t be placed on or remain on the market. That said,
companies do not support illegal use and will co-operate in every way to
ensure this does not happen.
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Q: How and why do
AGPs work?
A: The intestines of all animals, even humans, are populated by bacteria.
Some aid digestion and some release toxins which damage the gut wall. The
damaging bacteria compete with the useful bacteria and reduce the conversion
of feed into elements which can be absorbed through the gut wall. Some of
the damaging bacteria are able to produce toxins which inflame the gut,
increasing gut movement which can lead to diarrhoea – which means that
digestion is reduced and food is wasted.
Growth-promoting antibiotics help control the numbers of undesirable
bacteria in the intestine and allow better absorption of nutrients: all this
creates a bacterial balance within the intestinal microflora. This means
that animals stay healthy and produce consistently wholesome and
high-quality meat products to the consumer at an affordable price.
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Q: How will diseases
be treated following the ban?
A: Exactly the same as before! Antibiotics to treat disease are only
available on prescription from a veterinary surgeon. Only growth promoting
antibiotics are banned in the EU.
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Q: Will the
therapeutic use of antibiotics increase following the ban?
A: Experience in other countries such as Denmark, which stopped using
AGPs in advance of the EU deadline, showed an increase in the use of
therapeutic antibiotics once AGPs were withdrawn. This was because, although
AGPs were not licensed to treat or prevent disease, they have played an
important role in maintaining a healthy gut flora in those animals who were
given them.
In the UK we have had the benefit of a phased withdrawal, with no need
for the farmer to make an overnight switch. There are figures published on
the volumes of antimicrobials (see
www.vmd.gov.uk). Early indications seem
to show, as the phase out has started, that there has not been a
commensurate large increase in therapeutic use. That said, organisations
such as RUMA (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance)
have produced guidelines on responsible antibiotic use, effectively aiming
to reduce the need to use them. However, it must be
remembered that rational antibiotic use is not intrinsically wrong.
Therapeutic antibiotics are prescribed by vets only when necessary to
treat bacterial disease and play a vital role in stopping the suffering of
sick animals.
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Q: What effect will a
ban have on:
- The economics of farming food production?
- The price of food?
- Animal welfare?
A: It is not really appropriate for NOAH to comment on the economics of
production and price to the consumer - we do not have first-hand knowledge.
For comments on production contact
British Poultry Council,
National Pig
Association or National Farmers Union.
For comments on the retail aspect contact
British Retail Consortium.
The fact that AGPs are no longer used should have no direct effect on
animal welfare, but animals will still need to be monitored carefully for
signs of disease. Welfare standards will remain the same: there may be some
changes in practice required to achieve them.
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Q: What about
antibiotic resistance?
A: All the available evidence suggests that the use of antibiotics in
animals has had little or no impact on the incidence of antibiotic
resistance in human infections with bacteria such as enterococci, known to
be carried by animals.
This has been endorsed in a paper by Prof I Phillips "Withdrawal
of growth promoting antibiotics and its effect in relation to human health"
which said "Analyses suggest that the added risk to human health from
resistance among enterococci and campylobacter selected by growth promoter
use is small, whilst the benefit to human health from their use, hitherto
largely ignored, might more than counterbalance this." (Ref: I Phillips,
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 30 (2007)
101-107)
For further information see NOAH briefing document 11
- Antibiotic Resistance.
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Q: What are the
implications of antibiotic resistance to hospital acquired infections (MRSA)?
A: Removing AGPs will have no effect.
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Q: What do retailers
think of the ban?
A: Retailers have been able to offer consumers a choice of livestock
produce - AGPs have helped to produce affordable meat at consistent good
quality that many consumers have wanted.
Again the British Retailers Consortium would be the best source of
comment.
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Q: What do vets think
of the ban?
A: Vets, particularly those in specialist areas such as poultry and pig
vets have been working with their farmer clients to ensure that the phase
out of AGPs has been as smooth as possible. Contact the
British Veterinary
Association for more information.
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Q: Do veterinary
surgeons make money from antibiotics?
A: Vets made no money from AGPs. The veterinary surgeon’s fee includes a
charge for professional consultation irrespective of the medicines, or no
medicines, prescribed. The
BVA and its specialist divisions have been very actively involved in
drafting the RUMA
guidelines which aim to reduce the need for antibiotics, as well as best
practice when they are used. The BVA will be able to comment further.
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Q: What do the
welfare organisations think of an AGP ban?
A: Welfare organisations are represented on
RUMA: contact
RSPCA for
comment.
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Q: Are antimicrobials
used in organic farming?
A: Yes. Regardless of the type of husbandry, all domestic animals can get
sick and may require treatment with antibiotics: organic standards make
express provision for such circumstances.
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Updated October 2007 |
