Antimicrobial use in poultry flocks in Austria between 2013 and 2019

The increase in bacteria that are resistant to antimicrobials-often selected for a high level of antimicrobial uses (AMUs) in human beings or food-producing animals-is a global concern. The Austrian Poultry Health Service (QGV) has established a database containing comprehensive information on poultry flocks in Austria.

AMU in 32,411 broiler flocks and 2946 turkey flocks between 2013 and 2019 is analysed by calculating different metrics, including the treatment incidence TI₁₀₀₀ . Furthermore, the Austrian benchmarking system for poultry is introduced.

Annual AMU in broilers decreased from 1030.8 kg of active ingredient to 762.5 kg between 2013 and 2016 but rose again to 1165.0 kg in 2019; while for turkeys annual AMU dropped from 1196.4 kg to 569.0 kg between 2013 and 2019. At the same time, the proportion of treated flocks decreased from 34.2% to 24.8% for broilers and from 54.3% to 44.0% for turkeys. In both broilers and turkeys, the most frequently used antimicrobial class, according to the TI₁₀₀₀ unit, in broilers and turkeys is polymyxins.

Calculating different metrics enables a deeper insight into AMU. Total AMU reduced without legislation but the increase of AMU in broiler production needs further investigation.