28.09.2012

This report is issued by DANMAP - The Danish Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring and Research Programme. It presents the results of monitoring of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in food animals, food and humans in 2011.
In 2011, the total veterinary consumption of antimicrobial agents amounted to 107.9 tonnes. This represents a 15% decrease compared to 2010, mainly attributed to a decreased consumption in pigs. The antimicrobial consumption in pigs, cattle, fur animals, aquaculture, and poultry accounted for 77%, 14%, 4%, 2% and 0.7% of the total veterinary consumption, respectively.
The consumption of antimicrobial agents in poultry decreased by 8% to approximately 810 kg in 2011 compared to 2010, but was higher than the levels observed during 2001–2008. The decrease in the total consumption in poultry can be explained by reduced consumption in turkeys, layers and parent flocks in the broiler production. In contrast, the consumption in broilers continued to increase in 2011. The use of fluoroquinolones has been low since 2006 and they were not used for poultry in 2011. 

A high prevalence of ceftriaxone resistant E. coli was found in Danish broiler meat. It was surprising since cephalosporins are not used in the Danish broiler production. However, this high prevalence may be due to extended spectrum penicillins being increasing used for treatment in the Danish broiler production as extended spectrum penicillins may select for ceftriaxone resistant E. coli being introduced via breeding animals.