The sales of veterinary antibiotics across Europe have dropped by more than 32%, according to the latest figures from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The EMA report tracked sales between 2011 and 2017, with notable progress in the use of two critically important antibiotics (CIAs), polymyxins and cephalosporins.

CIAs are antibiotics also used in human medicine and treat serious infection caused by bacteria resistant to most treatments.

Sales of polymyxins plummeted by 66% and sales of cephalosporins decreased by more than 20%.

Reductions

The EMA said the report shows the commitment of the countries involved in promoting the responsible use of antibiotics in animals and lowering the risk of resistant bacteria.

There are varying trends across the EU. In 19 of the 25 countries there was a drop in sales of more than 5%. In two of the largest users, Netherlands and Germany, there were drops of over 50%.

In three countries, there was an increase of more than 5%, while three countries, of which Ireland was one, remained unchanged.

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