New figures from the British pig industry suggest use of ‘last resort’ antibiotic Colistin fell significantly in the sector during 2016.

The figures were released at the beginning of June by RUMA, which represents both pharmaceutical companies and farm groups. According to data collected via the new e-Medicines Book (e-MB), which was developed and launched by AHDB Pork last year, use of Colistin in pigs decreased more than 70% in 2016. The e-MB has now collected the 2015 and 2016 ‘medical’ records of more than two-thirds of the national pig herd.

Mandy Nevel from AHDB Pork said the news is important, as Colistins have had to be used to treat more human infections in recent years. She said, “This is why the European Medicines Agency has classified Colistin as a highest priority ‘Critically Important Antibiotic’ for the treatment of a number of human bacterial conditions, despite it being a very old drug.

“But crucially, the regulators have retained access for animal use because it also has importance as a last-resort drug to safeguard welfare in livestock. It’s very positive to see the pig sector – vets and farmers together – responding to the responsibility of having continued access to this drug as a last resort and reducing use where possible.”

RUMA chair Gwyn Jones said the findings mean that once 2016 sales data are released, the UK could be one of the five lowest users of Colistin in Europe. He commented, “We were looking for significant reductions in 2016 following the best practice guidelines issued by the Pig Veterinary Society at the end of 2015, but this has exceeded our hopes.

“It also follows hot on the heels of the announcement in February that prescribed antibiotics administered in feed for young pigs have halved, with more than two thirds of that reduction taking place in 2016. This shows the pig industry is really engaging with this issue and making some very strong progress in reducing, refining and replacing antibiotics use.”

However, Cóilín Nunan, scientific advisor to the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics, said there are still implications for the development of antibiotic resistance.  The Alliance’s advisor said, “The reduction in colistin use is welcome, but at the same time it's very disappointing that the pig industry has chosen to continue to use this drug and that regulators are allowing it. Colistin is a last-resort antibiotic used to treat life-threatening human infections, and we know that resistance can transfer from farm animals to humans. The poultry industry has announced a total ban on colistin and the pig industry should be following suit, particularly since there are many alternatives available.”