AHDB Reports UK Pig Antibiotic Use Down 72%

UK pig producers have cut antibiotic use by 72% over the past decade, with 2025 usage falling a further 10% year-on-year to 77.2 mg/PCU (milligrams per population correction unit). Reported by AHDB on 6 July 2026 to mark the tenth anniversary of the electronic Medicines Book (eMB), the figures signal a mature prevention-led approach to antimicrobial resistance that has commercial implications across veterinary pharma, diagnostics and biosecurity.

The eMB was introduced in 2015 in response to growing concern over antimicrobial resistance and now captures data from more than 94% of UK pig production. Rather than removing treatment where it is clinically needed, the sector has shifted decisively toward a prevention-led approach centred on stronger herd health, biosecurity and improved management. AHDB’s Mandy Nevel described the outcome as demonstrating that responsible antibiotic use and high welfare standards go hand in hand, and framed the ten-year data as evidence of what the industry can achieve through coordinated action across producers and vets.

The 2022 withdrawal of zinc oxide, previously used to manage post-weaning diarrhoea, tested the resilience of the new approach. Antibiotic use briefly increased but did not return to earlier levels and has since resumed its downward trend. AHDB acknowledged that the pace of reduction has naturally slowed, with antibiotics still needed to protect animal welfare where treatment is clinically justified. The industry’s stated position remains “as little as possible, but as much as necessary” as disease pressures and evolving regulations continue to test the sector.

The commercial signal is a rebalancing of the UK animal health portfolio. As antibiotic use continues to fall, the pig sector’s spend on vaccines, biosecurity products, diagnostics and specialist nutrition rises correspondingly. Suppliers positioned across MSD Animal Health, Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim and Elanco stand to benefit, while ongoing regulatory scrutiny of feed additives is likely the next commercial watchpoint.

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