U.E.: Increase in sales of antimicrobials for production animals

The second Annual European Surveillance Report on Sales and Use of Antimicrobials in Veterinary Medicine (ESUAvet) was published, consolidating EU data, including Iceland and Norway, for 2024. In 2024, 98% of the total sales of antimicrobial products for veterinary use were intended for production animals. Sales in this group increased by 5% compared to 2023. These results suggest that the overall downward trend observed between 2010 and 2022 may be diminishing or even reversing. More data will be needed to determine if this reflects a lasting change or a temporary fluctuation, which may be caused by factors such as stockpiling, disease outbreaks, or changes in animal populations. Continuous monitoring and timely communication of information will be essential to support corrective actions, if necessary. Although sales data remains a reliable indicator for estimating the consumption of antimicrobials in food-producing animals, the actual consumption is monitored through utilization ...