FVE: First EMA Report Milestone – Anmvi Today
- Brussels, April 3, 2025 – A new era in the surveillance of antimicrobial use in animals has begun with the release of the first mandatory report on antimicrobials...
- For the first time, all 27 EU member states, along with Iceland and Norway, have compiled and submitted data on both the sales and usage of antimicrobials in...
- The new Antimicrobial Sales and Use (ASU) platform builds upon the voluntary Esvac initiative,which contributed to a significant 50% reduction in veterinary antibiotic sales over 12 years.Now mandated...
EU Veterinary Antimicrobial sales adn Usage Monitored in landmark Report
Table of Contents
Brussels, April 3, 2025 – A new era in the surveillance of antimicrobial use in animals has begun with the release of the first mandatory report on antimicrobials sold and used in the European Union. The report, a follow-up to the Esvac (European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption) initiative, marks a “milestone” according to veterinary officials, especially regarding data collection across member states.
Comprehensive Data Collection
For the first time, all 27 EU member states, along with Iceland and Norway, have compiled and submitted data on both the sales and usage of antimicrobials in animals. This comprehensive data set is a key feature of the report.
Tracking Sales and Usage
The new Antimicrobial Sales and Use (ASU) platform builds upon the voluntary Esvac initiative,which contributed to a significant 50% reduction in veterinary antibiotic sales over 12 years.Now mandated by EU law, data collection has expanded to include effective consumption figures.
Sales Data Highlights
The report indicates that the vast majority, 98.4%, of antimicrobials are sold for use in animals intended for food production. Only 1.6% is designated for other animals, primarily pets. While the EU’s “Farm to Fork” strategy aims for a target of 59.2 mg/PCU by 2030,current data from 2023 shows 88.5 mg/PCU, suggesting that about half of the targeted 50% reduction has been achieved. Tho, significant disparities persist among countries, underscoring the need for continued and focused efforts across all member states.
Italian Data Collection
In Italy, sales data were initially gathered from Marketing-Authorization Holders (MAH) by wholesalers and feed suppliers from 2018 to 2019. Since 2020, sales figures include premixes, with data sourced from electronic prescriptions dispensed for all other pharmaceutical forms by wholesalers, pharmacies, veterinarians, breeders, and pet owners. In 2023, Italy modified its data source for premixes from MAH to feed suppliers, resulting in an underestimation of 2022 sales figures.
Veterinarians’ Key Role in Data on Use
Veterinarians played a crucial role in data collection, acting as primary data providers in 16 countries, with additional sources used in 13 others. In Italy, consumption data is derived from veterinarians and end-users/breeders. Italy also provided complete data for all species covered in the report. Since 2019, Italy has implemented a computerized system for tracking veterinary medicines and medicated feed, including electronic veterinary prescriptions and registers maintained by animal owners intended for food production. While this initiative has contributed to decreased sales, 2023 data for Italy does not reflect the same reduction trend, with some errors and quality issues currently being addressed.
Data Quality and Future Improvements
Data collected in 2023 covered cattle, pigs, chickens, and turkeys. As many countries continue to refine their data collection systems, improvements in accuracy and coverage are anticipated in the coming years. Consequently,quantitative data on usage has not yet been fully presented in this initial report.
Call for Collaboration
Further reductions in antibiotic sales will require collaborative efforts among veterinarians, breeders, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Guidelines for antimicrobial management and practical training workshops for veterinarians and breeders are crucial. Only thru collaboration and commitment in both animal and human health sectors can the effectiveness of antibiotics be safeguarded for future generations.
EU Veterinary Antimicrobial Use: Your Questions answered
Q: What’s new regarding antimicrobial use in the EU, and why is it critically importent?
A: A landmark report has been released, marking a new era in monitoring how antimicrobials are used in animals across the European Union. For the first time, all 27 EU member states, plus Iceland and Norway, have provided data on both sales and usage. this is crucial as it helps us understand and manage the use of antibiotics to protect their effectiveness for future generations. This builds upon the earlier, voluntary Esvac initiative.
Q: what’s the primary goal of this report?
A: The main objective is to track and analyze the sales and usage of antimicrobials in animals. This helps in strategizing and creating policies aimed at reducing antibiotic use.
Q: How is this data collected?
A: Data collection has expanded to include effective consumption figures, and the new Antimicrobial sales and Use (ASU) platform is now mandated by EU law.
Q: Who is included in the data collection?
A: ALL 27 EU member states are involved in addition to Iceland and Norway
Q: What does the report tell us about how antimicrobials are currently being used?
A: The report indicates that the vast majority of antimicrobials are used in animals intended for food production (98.4%), with only a small percentage (1.6%) designated for other animals, such as pets. The EU has set the target of 59.2 mg/PCU by 2030, but current figures show 88.5 mg/PCU.
Q: What are the current challenges?
A: Meaningful disparities persist among countries, underscoring the need for continued and focused efforts in all member states.
Q: What details is included from Italy?
A: In italy, sales data were initially gathered from marketing-Authorization Holders (MAH) by wholesalers and feed suppliers from 2018 to 2019.As 2020, sales figures include premixes. Sales data is gathered from electronic prescriptions from wholesalers, pharmacies, veterinarians, breeders, and pet owners.
Q: What role do veterinarians play?
A: Veterinarians are key in gathering data, acting as primary data providers in 16 countries, with additional sources in 13 others. In Italy, data is gathered from veterinarians and end-users/breeders.
Q: Where can I read the report?
A: The full report can be found here: