Swine antibiotic use rises despite reduction goal

Danish swine production’s antibiotic use has increased over the last two years, contrary to the political goal of reducing it, according to a DTU and SSI report. Minister Jacob Jensen is not satisfied, stating the need to lower antibiotic usage. In 2023, 73 tons were used, a 2% rise from 2022. This partly stems from treating post-weaning diarrhea in piglets, which has become more common as piglet production increased. An EU ban on medicinal zinc, which was used for the same issue, potentially influenced the antibiotic consumption. The intended reduction was 8% from 2018, but by the end of 2022, only a 3.6% reduction was achieved. Christian Fink Hansen from Agriculture & Food wasn’t surprised by the increase due to the zinc ban.