Antibiotic use in UK livestock continues to fall
The UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate has published its UK-Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance Sales and Surveillance report for 2022.
Sales of veterinary antibiotics for use in food-producing animals, adjusted for animal population, were 25.7 mg/kg in 2022 which is a 9% (2.6mg/kg) decrease since 2021 and an overall 59% (36.6mg/kg) decrease since 2014.
The figures represent the lowest sales ever recorded in the UK. Sales of the highest-priority antibiotics due to their critical importance to human health remain at extremely low levels. The report also highlights a positive picture of decreasing resistance across several key outcome indicators.
Irish Government looks to transform vacant farmhouses
Owners of vacant traditional farmhouses across the Republic of Ireland are to share grants totaling €285,000 to cover the cost of having a conservation expert provide tailored advice on how to repair and improve the building.
The grants will be paid out under a pilot scheme run by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to cover the costs of expert conservation advice to owners of vacant farmhouses who are considering applying for the government’s Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
Owners of vacant or derelict properties can apply for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant worth €50,000, which was launched by the Irish government last July in a bid to encourage owners to turn a vacant house or building into a permanent home or a rental property.
EU-Australia fail to reach trade agreement
EU and Australian trade representatives have failed to conclude negotiations which began in 2018 on a free trade agreement due to disagreements on agricultural market access.
The main issue that remains is the question of agricultural market access. Australia wants better market access for its sheep meat and beef producers, which the EU is reluctant to grant as countries like France and Ireland oppose this.
The EU Commission wants to get an agreement before the end of the year, as EU elections in mid-2024 could reshuffle personnel and priorities.