Use, Risk and Revalorization of Veterinary Antibiotics: A Canadian Perspective

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Veterinary Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Extensive veterinary antibiotic use in livestock production raises concerns for environmental sustainability and health security.
• Antibiotic residues and resistant bacteria from farms disseminate into the environment, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.
• Current management of veterinary antibiotics has weaknesses, leading to environmental contamination and the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review veterinary antibiotic use and regulations in Canada.
• To explore novel avenues for up-cycling agricultural antibiotic waste.
• To identify environmental dissemination routes and risks associated with veterinary antibiotics.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of veterinary antibiotic use, regulations, and environmental impacts.
• Analysis of antibiotic residue dissemination from farms to the environment.
• Exploration of waste management practices and their effect on antibiotic degradation.
• Investigation of up-cycling antibiotic residues in insects for feed and fertilizer applications.

Main Results:

• Widespread antibiotic use in animal husbandry contributes to environmental contamination with residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Manure and livestock products are significant sources of antibiotic residues, promoting antimicrobial resistance.
• Environmental persistence of antibiotics in soil and water systems is influenced by waste management practices.
• Up-cycling insect biomass offers a potential method for managing veterinary antibiotic waste.

Conclusions:

• Integrated solutions are needed to balance antibiotic use in agriculture with environmental protection and antimicrobial resistance mitigation.
• Region-specific surveillance programs are crucial for effective management of veterinary antibiotics.
• Up-cycling veterinary antibiotic residues in insects presents a promising strategy for sustainable waste management and risk reduction.