Europe Unveils Landmark Data Collection on Veterinary Antimicrobial Practices in 2023

Europe Unveils Landmark Data Collection on Veterinary Antimicrobial Practices in 2023

(IN BRIEF) In 2023, a historic initiative saw all 27 EU countries, along with Iceland and Norway, collecting and reporting both sales and usage data on veterinary antimicrobials for the first time. The resulting ESUAvet report details that 98% of veterinary antibiotic sales were for food-producing animals, with penicillins leading the market, followed by tetracyclines and sulfonamides. Under the AMEG categorization, 65% of these sales are for first-line treatments (Category D), 29% for alternatives (Category C), and 6% for antibiotics critical to human medicine (Category B). Additionally, usage data was collected for key food-producing species—cattle, pigs, chickens, and turkeys—with veterinarians primarily responsible for data collection in many countries, supplemented by other sources in others. Although the initial data collection is not yet complete enough for detailed quantitative analysis, significant efforts are underway to enhance data collection systems. This initiative is built upon the successful ESVAC project, which over 12 years contributed to a 50% reduction in veterinary antibiotic sales and has now been integrated into mandatory EU legislation via the centralized ASU Platform. The resulting detailed annual reports aim to provide insights that will guide decision-makers in addressing antimicrobial resistance and protecting public and animal health

(PRESS RELEASE) AMSTERDAM, 1-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — For the first time ever, all 27 EU member states along with Iceland and Norway have systematically collected and reported comprehensive data on both the sales and the usage of antimicrobials in animals within their borders. This milestone is detailed in the inaugural European Sales and Use of Antimicrobials for Veterinary Medicine (ESUAvet) annual surveillance report, which covers the year 2023 and marks the start of a recurring yearly exercise.

Sales Data:
Sales figures reveal that antibiotics intended for food-producing animals constitute 98% of the overall sales of veterinary medicines containing antibiotic compounds across the EU. Among these, penicillins emerge as the top-selling antimicrobial class, with tetracyclines and sulfonamides trailing behind. Using the AMEG classification—a system devised by an ad hoc expert group under EMA—the report notes that approximately 65% of these sales fall under Category D, signifying that these drugs should be considered as first-line treatments wherever possible. Category C, reserved for cases where Category D options are not effective, accounts for 29% of sales, while Category B, which comprises drugs critical for human health and hence should be used sparingly in animals, represents about 6% of the total.

Usage Data:
In 2023, data on antimicrobial usage were gathered for four principal species involved in food production: cattle, pigs, chickens, and turkeys. Veterinarians were pivotal in this process, serving as the sole data providers in 16 reporting countries. In contrast, 13 countries supplemented veterinary data with information from other sources such as pharmacies, feed mills, farmers, breeders, and retailers. This marks the first instance of EU-wide data collection on antimicrobial use, although many countries are still in the process of refining their data collection systems. As a result, the 2023 data have not reached the level of completeness and precision needed for detailed quantitative analysis. Nonetheless, there is a strong commitment among Member States to enhance these systems, and a spirit of collaboration is evident as countries with established practices have offered support and guidance to those still developing their methodologies.

ASU Platform and ESVAC Initiative:
The ESUAvet report builds on the foundation of the European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption (ESVAC) project—a voluntary collaboration between national authorities and the EMA that has reliably gathered sales data over the past 12 years. During this period, a remarkable 50% decline in veterinary antibiotic sales was recorded, a testament to the combined efforts of data providers, national strategies promoting responsible use, and the active participation of practitioners and farmers. Owing to its success, the ESVAC initiative has now been enshrined in EU legislation, mandating the collection of both sales and usage data for antimicrobials in animals. Data are reported to the EMA via the Antimicrobial Sales and Use (ASU) Platform, a centralized system that standardizes and streamlines information submission. The annual reports produced through this platform will offer deeper insights into trends in antimicrobial consumption, equipping decision-makers with the granular information necessary to tackle the complexities of antimicrobial resistance and safeguard both animal and human health across Europe.

Related documents

European sales and use of antimicrobials for veterinary medicine: Annual surveillance report for 2023

English (EN) (3.22 MB – PDF)

First published: 31/03/2025

Infographic – Categorisation of antibiotics for use in animals for prudent and responsible use

English (EN) (1.05 MB – PDF)

First published: 28/01/2020

Last updated: 09/06/2020

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SOURCE: European Medicines Agency