Despite challenges and temporary increases in some countries, the European Union is steadily reducing antibiotic use in livestock production, moving closer to its 2030 goal of halving consumption to protect both animal and public health.
Antibiotic Use in Europe: Trends and Challenges
Antibiotic use in European livestock production has shown a downward trend in recent years, despite temporary increases in certain countries. According to the latest report by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), overall antibiotic consumption in the EU slightly increased between 2022 and 2023, but the long-term trend remains downward.
Sweden continues to lead as the EU country with the lowest level of antibiotic use—11.2 milligrams per population correction unit (mg/PCU) in 2023. Although this represents a slight increase from the previous year, it is still below the 2021 level. The increase was primarily driven by the need to treat post-weaning diarrhea in pigs, following the EU-wide ban on the preventive use of zinc oxide.
On the other hand, countries such as Portugal, Spain, and Italy recorded significant increases in antibiotic sales, while Cyprus has consistently reduced its use since 2018. Although changes in reporting methodologies can affect how the data is interpreted, most countries show clear progress in reducing dependence on antibiotics in animal husbandry.
The EU has set an ambitious target to cut antibiotic use in livestock by 50% by 2030. Current data suggest that the Union is already halfway toward achieving that goal—a critical milestone in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Challenges remain, particularly in countries with historically high usage levels, but examples such as Sweden demonstrate that responsible and controlled antibiotic use is possible without compromising animal health. Continuing this trend will be key to preserving antibiotic effectiveness and safeguarding European public health.
Focus on the Alpine Region: Diverging Practices
In the Alpine region, the situation is highly diverse, highlighting differences in how countries approach antibiotic use in livestock:
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Slovenia (24.7 mg/PCU) and Austria (39.0 mg/PCU) show very low levels of use, indicating responsible practices and developed monitoring systems.
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France (44.6 mg/PCU) and Germany (61.8 mg/PCU) fall into a moderate range, still below the EU average.
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Italy, with a staggering 183.0 mg/PCU, ranks among the highest antibiotic users in Europe, pointing to a clear need for systemic reform.
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Switzerland did not report official data for 2023, but previous records indicate very low usage, similar to Austria.
These differences matter, as the Alpine region is a center for dairy, meat, and traditional food production. Stricter controls, better implementation of treatment guidelines, and investment in veterinary education could further position this region as a role model in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
