Use of antimicrobials for food animals in New Zealand; updated estimates to identify a baseline to measure targeted reductions

To describe the use of antimicrobial drugs for food animals in New Zealand, based on sales data reported to government for 2005–2018, to provide a baseline to determine the success of measures to reduce antimicrobial use for food animals and to compare usage to selected European countries.

Use of antimicrobials in food animals has stabilised to a rate of approximately 10.2 mg/PCU. This baseline should be used by the animal health industry to measure future success in its efforts to reduce and make more refined use of antimicrobial drugs as New Zealand works to deliver the government’s Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan. High rates of use of zinc bacitracin and some critically important macrolides represent clear targets in attempts to reduce usage.