Rayner Ann Catherine, Higham Laura Elizabeth, Gill Roger, Michalski Jean-Paul, Deakin Amanda
FAI Farms Ltd., Northfield Farm, Wytham, Oxford OX2 8QJ, UK.
The Lakes Free Range Company Ltd, Meg Bank, Stainton, Penrith, UK.
Vet Anim Sci. 2019 Sep 26;8:100072. doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2019.100072. eCollection 2019 Dec.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global challenge affecting human health and attention has been drawn to practices of all stakeholders involved in antimicrobial prescription and administration, including in the livestock sector. This survey of free-range egg farmers ( = 117) was conducted to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding antimicrobial use, and identify farmer-led solutions towards responsible antimicrobial use. Most participants proved knowledgeable of AMR and selected treatments based on principles of responsible medicine use. 'Worms' and 'infectious diseases' were the most common reasons for medicine use. Farms with a higher number of poultry houses, younger flock ages at depopulation and farms visited by a vet less than once a year or 3-4 times a year (compared to annually or twice a year) were more likely to select 'ANTIBIOTICS ONLY', as opposed to 'BOTH ANTIBIOTICS AND ANTIPARASITICS' or 'ANTIPARASITICS ONLY' as their most frequently used medicines. Participants from farms with a younger flock age at depopulation, from company-owned farms, and participants purchasing medicines from agricultural merchants instead of veterinary practices were less likely to be taking measures to reduce or replace antimicrobial use. Participants from larger farms and those that had less contact with their vet were less likely to think that they could reduce or replace the amount of antibiotics used. Survey results provided evidence for the important role of veterinarians in guiding antimicrobial stewardship through engagement, collaboration and education. Discussion groups in which farmers share best practices could assist the free-range egg industry in further promoting responsible antimicrobial use.
抗菌药物耐药性（AMR）是一项影响人类健康的重大全球挑战，人们已将注意力投向参与抗菌药物处方和管理的所有利益相关者的行为，包括畜牧业领域。本次对散养蛋鸡养殖户（n = 117）的调查旨在研究抗菌药物使用方面的知识、态度和行为，并确定养殖户主导的负责任使用抗菌药物的解决方案。大多数参与者证明了解抗菌药物耐药性，并根据合理用药原则选择治疗方法。“蠕虫”和“传染病”是用药最常见的原因。家禽舍数量较多、鸡群在出栏时年龄较小的养殖场，以及兽医每年到访次数少于一次或一年到访3 - 4次（与每年到访一次或两次相比）的养殖场，更有可能选择“仅使用抗生素”，而不是“同时使用抗生素和抗寄生虫药”或“仅使用抗寄生虫药”作为其最常用的药物。来自鸡群出栏时年龄较小的养殖场、公司所有养殖场的参与者，以及从农业商人而非兽医诊所购买药品的参与者，采取措施减少或替代抗菌药物使用的可能性较小。来自大型养殖场的参与者以及与兽医接触较少的参与者，认为自己能够减少或替代抗生素使用量的可能性较小。调查结果证明了兽医通过参与、合作和教育在指导抗菌药物管理方面的重要作用。养殖户分享最佳实践的讨论小组可以帮助散养蛋鸡行业进一步促进负责任地使用抗菌药物。
