191 A Comparison of Pig Farmers and Veterinarians Perceptions and Intentions to Reduce Antimicrobial Usage in Six European Countries (Research paper – Visschers, 2016)

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191 Research paper – Visschers – 2016 – A Comparison of Pig Farmers and Veterinarians Perceptions and Intentions to Reduce Antimicrobial Usage in Six European Countries

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB \ Farmer; AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
To manage the antimicrobial (AM) resistance problem, the usage of AM should be reduced in pig farming, as well as in other areas. A mail survey among pig farmers (N = 1,294) and an online survey among veterinarians (N = 334) was done in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. The results showed that farmers and veterinarians had similar perceptions of the risks and benefits of AM usage. Veterinarians were more optimistic than pig farmers about reducing AM usage in pig farming. Farmers believed that their efficacy over AM reduction was relatively high. Farmers’ intention to reduce AM usage and veterinarians’ self-reported reduction behaviors were connected with factors concerning the feasibility of reducing AM usage. To promote prudent AM usage, pig farmers should learn and experience how to reduce usage by applying alternative measures, whereas veterinarians should strengthen their advisory role and competencies to support and educate farmers.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26890125; https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12260
Country: BE; CH; DK; SE; FR, DE

167 Evaluation of the relationship between the biosecurity status production parameters herd characteristics and antimicrobial usage in farrow-to-finish pig Research paper – Postma, 2016)

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167 Research paper – Postma – 2016 – Evaluation of the relationship between the biosecurity status production parameters herd characteristics and antimicrobial usage in farrow-to-finish pig

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \ Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
This study aimed at assessing possible associations between the biosecurity level, antimicrobial usage and farm and production characteristics in order to advice on best practices for a low antimicrobial usage and maximum animal health and production. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 227 farrow-to-finish pig herds in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden between December 2012 and December 2013. Associations between biosecurity status, antimicrobial usage, and production parameters were evaluated. This study showed that the antimicrobial usage in breeding animals tends to be positively associated with the number of weaned piglets per sow per year and the antimicrobial usage from birth to slaughter (TI 200) in growing pigs. The TI 200 was lower in herds with a farrowing rhythm ≥5- weeks, a higher biosecurity status and tended to be lower with weaning of the piglets at an older age.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28405435; https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-016-0028-z
Country: BE; CH; FR; DE; SE; DK

162 Alternatives to the use of antimicrobial agents in pig production_ A multi-country expert-ranking of perceived effectiveness feasibility and return (Research paper – Postma, 2015)

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162 Research paper – Postma – 2015 – Alternatives to the use of antimicrobial agents in pig production_ A multi-country expert-ranking of perceived effectiveness feasibility and return

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \ Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Nineteen alternatives to antimicrobial agents were ranked on perceived effectiveness, feasibility and return on investment (ROI) by 111 pig experts from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. The top 5 measures in terms of effectiveness were (1) improved internal biosecurity, (2) improved external biosecurity, (3) improved climate/environmental conditions,(4) high health/Specific Pathogen Free/disease eradication and (5) increased vaccination. The top 5 measures in terms of feasibility were (1) increased vaccination, (2) increased use of anti-inflammatory products, (3) improved water quality, (4) feed quality/optimization and (5) use of zinc/metals. The top 5 measures in terms of ROI were (1) improved internal biosecurity, (2) zinc/metals, (3) diagnostics/action plan,(4) feed quality/optimization and (5) climate/environmental improvements. Combining these results, the most promising alternatives to antimicrobial use in industrial pig production are: biosecurity improvements, increased vaccination, use of zinc/metals, improvement of feed quality and use of regular diagnostics testing and having a clear action plan.

Where to find the original material:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25650306; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.01.010

Country: BE; FR; DE; SE, CH, DK

148 Review of transmission routes of 24 infectious diseases preventable by biosecurity measures and comparison of the implementation of these measures (Research paper – Filippitzi, 2018)

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148 Research paper – Filippitzi – 2018 – Review of transmission routes of 24 infectious diseases preventable by biosecurity measures and comparison of the implementation of these measures

SIG: Biosecurity
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
This study reviews the transmission routes of important infectious pig diseases and their impact on transmission in pig herds. First, a literature review identifying transmission routes of 24 infectious pig diseases preventable through biosecurity measures was done. Second, the level of implementation of these measures using data obtained from 574 pig farms in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, entered between January 2014 and January 2016 was analyzed quantitatively. Third, a qualitative analysis based on a review of literature and other relevant information resources was performed. The quantitative analysis indicated that at the level of internal, external and overall biosecurity, Denmark had a distinct profile with higher external biosecurity scores and less variation than the other countries. The qualitative analysis identified differences in applied policies, legislation, disease status, pig farm density, farming culture and habits between countries that can be useful for country-specific biosecurity advice.
148

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29124908; https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.12758

Country: BE; DK

134 Profile of pig farms combining high performance and low (Research paper – Collineau, 2017 )

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134 Research paper – Collineau – 2017 – Profile of pig farms combining high performance and low

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \ Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Pig farmers have been advised to reduce their antimicrobial usage because of the threat of antimicrobial resistance. This study investigates the profile of ‘top-farms’, which combine both high technical performance and low antimicrobial usage. A study was conducted among 227 farrow-to-finish farms in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden. Within this study, 44 top-farms were compared with the ‘regular’ farms in terms of farm characteristics, biosecurity and health status. Top-farms had fewer gastrointestinal symptoms in suckling pigs and fewer respiratory symptoms in fatteners, which could partly explain their reduced need for antimicrobials and higher performance. They also had higher biosecurity and were located in sparsely populated pig areas. However, 14 farms of the top-farms group were located in densely populated pig areas, but they had higher internal biosecurity and more extensive vaccination against respiratory pathogens. These results illustrate that it is possible to control infectious diseases with low antimicrobial usage.
134

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29051316; https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.103988

Country: CH; FR; SE; BE; DE; DK

129 The global threat of antimicrobial resistance_science for intervention (Research report – Roca, 2015)

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129 Research report – Roca – 2015 – The global threat of antimicrobial resistance_science for intervention

AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance; Antibiotic use; Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Other;
Age: Different for different species;
Summary: The current threat of antimicrobial resistance plus the need to control it and find alternatives to currently used antimicrobial products has prompted the different stakeholders to take action in integrating research and public health, maintaining and promoting national and international antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research communities. In summary, the following measures can be taken to prevent emergence and spread of AMR: rational antibiotic’s use, implementing infection control measures at farm level, developing strategies to mitigate the risks for environment of antimicrobial residues, having rapid tests for diagnosis of infections, promotion of research on prevention and surveillance of AMR and developing novel antimicrobial strategies and agents, improving general and public awareness of responsible antibiotic use and risks associated to increased AMR.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446399/; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmni.2015.02.007

Country: ES, TR, FR, UK, BE, NL, SE, DK, US, IT, IE, MZ, DE, CH,

128 Herd-specific interventions to reduce antimicrobial usage in pig production without jeopardising technical and economic performance (Research paper – Collineau – 2017

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128 Research paper – Collineau – 2017 – Herd-specific interventions to reduce antimicrobial usage in pig production without jeopardising technical and economic performance

Biosecurity \ Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary: Pig farmers are strongly encouraged to reduce their antimicrobial usage in order to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Herd-level intervention is needed to achieve reduction targets. The objective of this study was to asses feasibility, effectiveness and return on investment these interventions aiming at reducing antimicrobial usage in pig production. An intervention study was conducted in 70 farrow-to-finish pig farms located in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden. Following interventions, a reduction in antimicrobial use was achieved without negative impact on the technical performance. Mortality in suckling piglets, weaners and fatteners, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio did not significantly change during the study, while the number of weaned piglets per sow per year slightly increased. Median change in net farm profit was overall positive. Costs of alternative measures are therefore not a barrier, but an opportunity to optimize production practices for sustained productivity and improved animal health.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28716198; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.05.023

Country: BE; CH; FR; SE; DE; DK;

127 Factors associated with specific health welfare and reproductive performance indicators in pig herds from five EU countries (Research paper; Chantziaras, 2018)

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127 Research paper – Chantziaras – 2018 – Factors associated with specific health welfare and reproductive performance indicators in pig herds from five EU countries

Housing and welfare \ Weaning age and management; Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Production diseases are often the result of interactions between many factors. The focus of this study was to identify specific environment-related factors and to discuss their associations with health, welfare and reproductive performance in sows and piglets, in diverse systems using data from 130 farms from five EU countries. Eight parameters were selected from this data, four related to sow reproductive performance (litter index, replacement rate, repeat breeding (i.e. failure to breed after one mating), weaning to first mating interval) and the remaining four to litter / piglet health performance (piglets born alive per litter, piglets born dead per litter, preweaning mortality rate and weaned piglets per litter). Data analysis showed that factors related to applying good farm and health management, and optimal housing conditions were found to have a positive effect on various sow and piglet performance parameters.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587718303908; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.09.006
Country: BE; DE, DK; FI; UK

95 DANMAP by DANMAP (Farm Innovation)

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95 Farm Innovation – DANMAP by DANMAP

95 Farm Innovation
DANMAP by DANMAP
in Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary: This comprehensive report (152 pages) is issued by DANMAP, the Danish Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring and Research Programme. It presents the results of monitoring the antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in food animals, food and humans in 2017. The report summarizes the result of susceptibility testing of isolates obtained by hospitals, general practice, veterinary practice and the National Food and Veterinary Authority, as well as records of types and amount of antimicrobials prescribed by amongst others veterinarians. Chapters are ‘Total antimicrobial consumption in animals’ and ‘Antimicrobial consumption by animal species’.
95 Farm Innovation – DANMAP by DANMAP
Where to find the original material: (in English)
https://www.danmap.org/-/media/arkiv/projekt-sites/danmap/danmap-reports/danmap-2017/danmap2017.pdf?la=en;
Country: DK

79 Veterinary antimicrobial-usage statistics based on standardized measures of dosage (Research paper; Jensen, 2004)

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Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance \ Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Age: Young; Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): Antimicrobial use
Summary: Standardized statistics are necessary for international comparison of usage, monitoring of national drug usage and for comparative studies of drug use. The defined animal daily dose is a better measure than the weight of active compound, but interpretation of trends in drug consumption also should include current knowledge of changes in the prescribed daily doses. To enable direct comparison of usage, the number of animals in the target population should be used as a baseline. Depending on the scope, information on number of animals may be obtained from different sources (such as animal-production data, existing registers or direct contact with the individual farmers). Application of standardized statistics will improve the basis for research and the ability to respond to problems of antimicrobial resistance in a targeted way and to evaluate the effect of informative or regulative measures taken to ensure prudent use.
79 Research paper – Jensen – 2004 – Veterinary antimicrobial-usage statistics based on standardized measures of dosage
Where to find the original material:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587704000868; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2004.04.001
Country: DK

79 Research paper – Jensen – 2004 – Veterinary antimicrobial-usage statistics based on standardized measures of dosage