Antimicrobial resistance in the Netherlands remains stable

Veterinarians prescribed fewer antibiotics in 2019 than in 2018. Sales of antimicrobial veterinary medicinal products in 2019 (150 tonnes) decreased by 16.1 % compared to 2018 (179 tonnes). This means that the total reduction compared to the index year 2009 was almost 70%, which is the result of combined efforts of the authorities, the livestock sectors and the veterinarians.

In recent years, almost no antibiotics important for the treatment of infections in humans have been used in farm animals.

Antibiotic usage in veal calves and pigs decreased compared to 2018, while antibiotic use in dairy cattle and broilers was relatively stable at a low level over the last four years.

Total sales of veterinary antibiotics in the Netherlands 2019

• Tetracyclines: The fraction of doxycycline increased to the highest level ever with 68.6% of the total sales of tetracyclines (42% in 2018, fluctuations between 31% and 49% in the years 2011-2017).
• Penicillins: Second place in mass, penicillin sales was stable in 2019 in comparison to 2018. The distribution of broad and narrow spectrum penicillins (in mass sold) has somewhat shifted to narrow spectrum, 70-30%.
• (Fluoro)quinolones: The sales of fluoroquinolones decreased with 45kg (20%) in 2019. An overall reduction of 87.6% was realized in comparison with 2011. In 2019, 46% of the sales are applied in the monitored sectors. Extending the monitoring to other animal species (as will be regulated with EU 2019/6) is warranted. The sales of quinolones (flumequine) also decreased by 32% in 2019; these AVMPs are exclusively applied in food producing sectors.
• Cephalosporins: Sales of these AVMPs were relatively stable over the period 2015 to 2018. A relatively large increase of sales of 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins was observed in 2019 (the total mass sold is still less than 3kg). This increase is not associated with use in the monitored livestock sectors, implying use in companion animals, horses or unmonitored production sectors, such as goats.A reduction of 99.7% of all cephalosporins sales has been achieved since 2011.
• Polymyxins: Colistin sales increased again in 2019 with 13%; predominantly in weaned piglets (161 kg) and other poultry (parent animals) (59 kg). Based on the recent classification of polymyxins as Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials (CIAs) in the 6th revision of the WHO CIA list (2019), the Netherlands Veterinary Medicines Institute considers polymyxins as third choice antibiotics, and this antibiotic class is reported as such. This implies that similar as for fluoroquinolones and 3rd/4th generation cephalosporins the Dutch target for use for 2020 onwards will be 0 DDDA.