A new report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) indicates a positive shift in global practices, revealing a 5% decrease in antimicrobial use in animals between 2020 and 2022. This decline signals progress in addressing the overuse of these critical medications in agriculture, a key factor driving antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The ninth edition of the Antimicrobial Agents Intended for Use in Animals (AMU) Report highlights this trend, covering 71% of the world’s animal biomass and incorporating data from 157 countries. Of these,111 submitted detailed quantitative reports,providing valuable insights into antimicrobial usage patterns worldwide.

The Shift Away From Growth Promotion

For decades, antimicrobials were commonly used to promote growth in animals, a practice now widely criticized. Scientific evidence demonstrates that this misuse significantly contributes to the development of AMR, where bacteria evolve to resist treatment, rendering critical medications ineffective. The WOAH has explicitly discouraged the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion through it’s international standards.

Despite these efforts, the latest data reveals that 22% of reporting countries still engage in this outdated practice. Alarmingly, 7% of these countries use antibiotics classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as highest priority critically vital for human medicine,” including colistin and enrofloxacin.

Regional Variations and Species-Specific Data

The ninth AMU Report provides a more granular view of antimicrobial use, including a separate analysis of the Middle East and a distinction 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 meaningful.

• Africa: -20%
• Europe: -23%
• Americas: -4%
• Asia and the Pacific: -2%

Though, 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 Growing Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to global health. In 2022, 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 misuse of antimicrobials, including their overuse for boosting animal productivity rather than treating infections, is a primary driver of AMR. This resistance 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: The Key to Reducing Antimicrobial Use

Reducing antimicrobial use starts with better animal husbandry, rigorous biosecurity, and preventive healthcare, such as vaccination. These practices can minimize the need for antibiotics while enhancing animal welfare and farm productivity.

WOAH continues to champion a One Health approach – recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The organization advocates for stronger national surveillance systems, better data collection, and full adherence to international guidelines to ensure the responsible use of antimicrobials.

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.