25.06.2012

During the period 2009-2011 the total sales of antibiotics dropped nearly 32%, from 495 tonnes in 2009 to 338 tonnes in 2011. This far exceeds the policy objective for 2011 set by the Dutch government, i.e., a 20% reduction in antibiotic use compared with 2009. Survey data on antibiotic use per animal species indicate a decrease in all five livestock sectors examined in 2011.
In 2011, all animal production sectors in the Netherlands showed a decrease in antibiotic use. In broiler farms: increase until 2009, decrease in 2010 and 2011; In 2011 administration of penicillines accounted for 41% of the total antibiotic use on broiler farms, tetracyclines for 17%, intestinal anti-infectives for 12% and quinolones for 11%. Fluoroquinolones use was 2.2% of the total use.