A new report by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reveals a global 5% decrease in antimicrobial use in animals between 2020 and 2022.
This promising trend, highlighted in the ninth edition of the Antimicrobial Agents Intended for Use in Animals (AMU) Report, reflects improved awareness and early successes in tackling the overuse of antimicrobials in agriculture. However, experts caution that the battle against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is far from over.
The latest AMU Report covers 71% of the world’s animal biomass and includes data from 157 countries, 111 of which submitted detailed quantitative reports. This comprehensive global participation provides new insights into how and where antimicrobials are being used and where further reforms are urgently required.
From growth promotion to global threat
For decades, antimicrobials were routinely used not only to treat infections but also to promote growth in animals – a practice now widely condemned.
Scientific consensus shows that such misuse contributes significantly to the development of AMR, where bacteria evolve to resist treatment, rendering critical medications ineffective.
WOAH’s international standards explicitly discourage the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion. Yet, the latest data reveals that 22% of reporting countries continue this outdated practice.
Alarmingly, 7% of these countries use antibiotics classified by the WHO as “highest priority critically important for human medicine,” including colistin and enrofloxacin.
Regional trends and species-specific data
The ninth AMU Report offers a more detailed view than ever before. For the first time, WOAH conducted a separate analysis of the Middle East and distinguished between terrestrial and aquatic food-producing animals.
While global antimicrobial use fell from 102 mg/kg to 97 mg/kg of animal biomass, regional variations were significant.
Between 2020 and 2022, reductions were reported in:
- Africa: -20%
- Europe: -23%
- Americas: -4%
- Asia and the Pacific: -2%
However, the Middle East saw a 43% increase. Despite this spike, the region accounts for only 0.3% of the global animal biomass and a mere 0.04% of total reported antimicrobial quantities, suggesting a minimal impact on the overall trend.
The urgency of combating AMR
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health threat. In 2022 alone, AMR was directly responsible for 1.15 million human deaths.
Projections indicate this figure could rise dramatically, with an estimated 38.5 million lives lost by 2050 if current trends persist. Vulnerable populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, face the gravest risks.
The root of the issue lies in misuse – including over-reliance on antimicrobials for boosting animal productivity rather than for treating infections.
AMR not only endangers animal health and food security but also undermines the effectiveness of life-saving treatments in humans.
Momentum for change is building. In September 2024, UN Member States adopted a political declaration on antimicrobial resistance, committing to reduce antimicrobial use in agriculture and improve surveillance and reporting systems.
As part of this commitment, countries agreed to invest in infection prevention, control measures, and data-driven solutions.
WOAH’s global database, ANIMUSE, plays a central role in these efforts by collecting and disseminating national data on antimicrobial use.
This data enables policymakers to assess trends, identify problem areas, and make informed decisions.
Prevention is the best medicine
The path forward is clear. Reducing antimicrobial use starts with better animal husbandry, rigorous biosecurity, and preventive healthcare, such as vaccination.
These practices can minimise the need for antibiotics while enhancing animal welfare and farm productivity.
WOAH continues to champion a One Health approach – recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
The organisation advocates for stronger national surveillance systems, better data collection, and full adherence to international guidelines to ensure the responsible use of antimicrobials.
A call to collective action
The global decline in antimicrobial use in animals is a step in the right direction, but the journey toward eliminating antimicrobial resistance is far from over. Continued cooperation between governments, farmers, veterinarians, and international bodies is essential.
Only with coordinated, science-based strategies can we protect both animal and human health from the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and ensure that antimicrobial use in agriculture remains responsible, transparent, and sustainable.
