Bulletin of the IDF N°536/2025: The IDF Guide to Prudent Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Dairy Production 2.0

Publication description

Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent global health challenge, and if left unaddressed, has the risk of growing out of control. The fluid nature of the microbial genome means that activities in either the medical, veterinary, or environmental sectors are likely to have  impacts on each of the others. In this context, the livestock production sector is taking steps towards more targeted antimicrobial use, with the dairy sector leading the efforts. All stakeholders, namely farmers, veterinarians, food processing, pharmaceutical, distribution, stock feed producers and competent authorities have roles to play to support antimicrobial stewardship. The revised guide lists some of the steps that each of these groups can take in this effort. For the dairy farmers and the veterinarians, the focus lies in effective disease prevention and appropriate treatment and maintaining high levels of biosecurity and overall animal husbandry. Food processing companies support this effort through quality assurance frameworks. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributers, stockfeed producing companies are involved through Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and the supply of approved, high-quality antimicrobials. Finally, steps from the competent authorities are aimed at regulating and monitoring the use of antimicrobials and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance.

Keywords
Antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial agents, residues, Good Agricultural Practices

Cite this content as:

International Dairy Federation. (2025). The IDF Guide to Prudent Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Dairy Production 2.0 (Bulletin of the IDF N° 536/2025). https://doi.org/10.56169/HECI1752