Specific important antimicrobials, such as colistin, are needed for animal health in order to treat disease and protect animal welfare. Sales of colistin for veterinary use are decreasing and prevalence of resistance in animals remains low. At the same time, use of colistin in hospitals is showing a dramatic increase, which is followed by similar trends in resistance.
The transfer of resistance genes to humans via the food chain is seen as a potential cause for
this increase in resistance, but a lack of data makes it impossible to estimate the extent of
resistance transfer from animals.
Current scientific evidence does not recommend a ban on colistin use in animals.
