23 November 2021 – Today, the European Medicines Agency published its 11th report on the European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption (ESVAC). The report covers data from 31 countries for 2 years (2019 and 2020).

Today’s report shows the degree of commitment to sustainable agriculture and responsible use of antimicrobials in the European Union. The great efforts done by the animal health sector over the last years, which include the implementation of best practices that improve health and welfare of animals and minimise disease are paid off with a decrease of 43.2% of the overall sales of veterinary antimicrobials between 2011 and 2020, in the 25 countries across Europe that provided data during this period. A noticeable decrease was seen in the some of the highest-selling countries. Another very good news is the decreasing trend seen for the Critically Important Antibiotics, classified by EMA in the AMEG Category B[1], especially the sales of polymyxins (colistin) which reduced by 76.5 % between 2011-2020.

The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) welcomes the report and its results.  It shows the animal health sector is on the right way, also underlined by a decrease seen in the resistance of some zoonotic bacteria e.g. E. Coli.

FVE will continue to work on strengthening disease prevention to further reduce the need to use antimicrobials. Special attention will be given to support higher usage countries in their efforts, as we observe there is still a large difference in sales between the countries.

Press release