Farmers could have access to fewer antibiotics in the future if progress is not made in reducing their usage, DAERA chief vet Robert Huey has warned.

“If we don’t use them responsibly, the critically important antibiotics will be taken away and kept for humans,” Huey said during a meeting with Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster members.

The online event focused on antimicrobial resistance and how best practice in areas such as animal husbandry, vaccine use, and livestock housing can help reduce antibiotic usage on farms.

If the vets cannot be trusted to do the job of gate keepers of antimicrobials, then they will lose them

“We don’t need to invent any new tools here. We just need to use what we have already got. We are making progress and with a little bit more thought and effort we can make this better,” the chief vet said.

However, Huey said private vets also have a key role to play by ensuring that antibiotics are only prescribed for animal use when required.

“If the vets cannot be trusted to do the job of gate keepers of antimicrobials, then they will lose them. You will get a prescription from your vet and you will buy them somewhere else (like a pharmacy), as you do in Denmark, Sweden and other countries,” Huey warned.