FAO published the comprehensive report “Antimicrobial use practices in the livestock sector in Ukraine,” the first study of such scale examining how farmers, veterinarians, veterinary pharmacies, and feed mills use antimicrobial products.
The research was carried out under the AMR capacity-building project aimed at reducing the spread of resistant microorganisms through data collection, analysis, and the promotion of best practices. The survey took place between December 2020 and April 2021. Under the coordination of Oksana Yurchenko, Vitaliy Bashynskyi, and Oleksandr Revnivtsev, the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders assumed key responsibilities for the fieldwork — translating questionnaires, gathering data on antimicrobial products, and conducting pilot surveys.
The survey included:
- 335 farms across all sectors (pig, poultry, dairy and beef cattle, small ruminants, beekeeping, and household farms)
- 74 veterinary doctors
- 67 veterinary pharmacy staff
- 28 feed mills
Key findings:
- 64% of farmers use antibiotics in their operations
- The highest rates of antimicrobial use were recorded in dairy farming (96%), pig farming (92%), and poultry production (74%)
- Large enterprises use antibiotics significantly more frequently than small farms
Full results of the study are available at: https://doi.org/10.4060/cd7638en
The Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders will continue participating in initiatives aimed at reducing antibiotic use and harmonizing Ukrainian legislation with EU requirements.
FAO works to reduce poverty and hunger worldwide through agricultural development, improved nutrition, and enhanced food security (ensuring that food is available to all at all times). Established in Quebec on October 16, 1945, its motto is “Helping to build a world without hunger.”
The Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders is a non-profit voluntary organization founded by domestic pork producers. Its core objectives are representing and protecting the rights and interests of its member farms, supporting the development and adoption of new technologies for efficient pork production, expanding market access, and protecting the domestic pork market.