The European Union Summary Report on Antimicrobial Resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2023–2024

The 2023–2024 harmonised EU AMR monitoring report shows that Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter (C. jejuni and C. coli) from humans, food-producing animals (broilers, laying hens, turkeys, pigs, calves) and meat frequently exhibit resistance to commonly used antimicrobials such as ampicillin, tetracycline and sulfonamides, although resistance in Salmonella from laying hens remains comparatively low. Of concern, ciprofloxacin resistance (a critically important antimicrobial for human medicine) is increasing in Salmonella from laying hens in some Member States and in human infections linked to poultry-associated serovars, as well as in C. jejuni in more than half of reporting countries. Combined resistance to critically important antimicrobials remains uncommon but is higher in certain Salmonella serovars and C. coli in specific countries. Resistance levels vary substantially between Member States. Imported poultry meat showed very high (Salmonella) and moderate (indicator E. coli) resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. While carbapenemase-producing Salmonella were not found in animals, several human cases were reported, and carbapenemase-producing E. coli were detected in multiple animal species and pig meat in eight Member States, requiring follow-up. Over the past decade, several countries have achieved reductions in AMR in food-producing animals, reflected in improved key indicators (e.g., complete susceptibility and lower ESBL/AmpC prevalence), but recent data suggest these gains are plateauing in parts of the EU, underscoring the need for sustained and strengthened AMR control efforts.