Recent data show that antibiotic use in German pig farming has declined by 41.9 percent over the past four years.

According to the report on the status of the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry for 2014-2018, presented on June 10 by the German company QS Qualitäts und Sicherheit GmbH, which is engaged in the certification of goods and services, the number of antibiotics used in all types was reduced by 253.2 tons or 35.7 percent.

According to QS, the volume of reserve antibiotics used - used only for highly resistant bacteria - also fell by 46.7 percent.

This decline is believed to be related to measures taken by animal owners, producers and veterinarians to reduce antibiotic resistance.

The number of antibiotics used on pig farms also fell by 41.9%.

QS monitoring of antibiotic use was introduced in 2012 at the initiative of the business community. It covers more than 95% of pork and poultry production in Germany.

Thus, the identification and assessment of the impact on the industry makes the use of antibiotics in livestock farming transparent and assessable.