Sustainability policies and practices at veterinary centres in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Veterinary professionals operate at the human-animal-environment interface and are concerned about sustainability issues. This study examined the extent to which sustainability is represented in policy and enacted in veterinary practice settings, as reported by practice representatives. METHODS: An online survey was completed by 392 veterinary centre representatives in the UK and Republic of Ireland to identify existing policies and practices around the environmental impacts of veterinary services and animal husbandry, responsible medicine use, animal welfare and social wellbeing. RESULTS: A minority of respondents were aware of an environmental policy at their practice (17%, 68/392). Many others were undertaking waste reduction initiatives, but wider environmental interventions were infrequently reported. The majority were aware of medicine stewardship and animal welfare policies or guidelines, but a minority reported social wellbeing policies (40%, 117/289) and the provision of advice to clients on the environmental impacts of animal husbandry (31%, 92/300). LIMITATIONS: The bias arising from the small convenience sample of practice representatives and potential discrepancies between the claims of survey respondents and their practices' policies and activities are acknowledged. CONCLUSION: Results depict a value-action gap between the concern of veterinary professionals towards sustainability and the policies and practices at their workplaces. Building on progress in the sector, wider adoption of comprehensive policies and practices, with guidance, could enhance veterinary contributions to the sustainability agenda, in particular to mitigate the environmental externalities of veterinary services and animal care and ensure safe, fair and inclusive workplaces.

How are vets finding solace in nature?

The Covid-19 lockdown is taking its toll on individuals, families, communities and businesses across the world. But, as founder and coordinator of Vet Sustain Laura Higham explains, we can all find consolation in nature during these testing times.

A survey of free-range egg farmers in the United Kingdom: Knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding antimicrobial use and resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global challenge affecting human health and attention has been drawn to practices of all stakeholders involved in antimicrobial prescription and administration, including in the livestock sector. This survey of free-range egg farmers (n = 117) was conducted to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding antimicrobial use, and identify farmer-led solutions towards responsible antimicrobial use. Most participants proved knowledgeable of AMR and selected treatments based on principles of responsible medicine use. 'Worms' and 'infectious diseases' were the most common reasons for medicine use. Farms with a higher number of poultry houses, younger flock ages at depopulation and farms visited by a vet less than once a year or 3-4 times a year (compared to annually or twice a year) were more likely to select 'ANTIBIOTICS ONLY', as opposed to 'BOTH ANTIBIOTICS AND ANTIPARASITICS' or 'ANTIPARASITICS ONLY' as their most frequently used medicines. Participants from farms with a younger flock age at depopulation, from company-owned farms, and participants purchasing medicines from agricultural merchants instead of veterinary practices were less likely to be taking measures to reduce or replace antimicrobial use. Participants from larger farms and those that had less contact with their vet were less likely to think that they could reduce or replace the amount of antibiotics used. Survey results provided evidence for the important role of veterinarians in guiding antimicrobial stewardship through engagement, collaboration and education. Discussion groups in which farmers share best practices could assist the free-range egg industry in further promoting responsible antimicrobial use.

A survey of dairy cow farmers in the United Kingdom: knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding antimicrobial use and resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is among the most pressing challenges facing humanity. This survey of dairy cow farmers (n=372) was conducted to explore knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding veterinary medicine use and to identify farmer-led solutions to reducing, replacing and refining antimicrobial use. Antimicrobials were the most commonly reported veterinary medicines used. Twenty-two per cent of the antibiotics used by dairy farmers contained a highest priority critically important active ingredient. Mastitis was rated as the most important health and welfare challenge and was the most common reason for medicine use. Frequency of veterinary contact was associated with a decrease in the use of antibiotic footbaths, more 'responsible' treatment choices and increased knowledge of AMR. Purchasing medicine from a vet practice rather than elsewhere was associated with an increased likelihood of disposing of waste milk responsibly. These findings highlight the important role of veterinarians in guiding responsible medicine use. Ninety per cent of participants stated that they were trying to reduce their antimicrobial use. Farmers suggested a wide array of alternative treatments and potential interventions for managing herd health. Findings from this project could be used to target education and training surrounding best practice, supporting the important role that farmers play in protecting public health.

Effects of financial incentives and cessation of thinning on prevalence of Campylobacter: a longitudinal monitoring study on commercial broiler farms in the UK.

Campylobacter is the leading cause of food poisoning in the UK. 2 Sisters Food Group, with retail partners, monitored the effect that: (1) awarding financial incentives to farmers and stockpersons for producing houses that were not highly contaminated with Campylobacter, or (2) the cessation of thinning (where ~30 per cent of birds are removed and processed at around day 35 of the crop cycle), had on prevalence of Campylobacter on UK broiler farms in a longitudinal monitoring study. Ninety-four farms and 759 houses were monitored from November 2013 to October 2015, with and without interventions. Financial incentives and thinning were significantly associated with Campylobacter prevalence. Houses on farms receiving an incentive had a 54 per cent reduction in odds of being highly contaminated with Campylobacter Houses that were thinned had a 309 per cent increase in odds of being highly contaminated. Temperature and bird age were significantly positively associated with Campylobacter Changes in industry practice at supply chain level can support Campylobacter control plans in commercial broiler flocks. Elucidating farm-level factors associated with Campylobacter prevalence (such as house type, condition, flock size) as well as individual factors related to thinning (stocking density, weight profile and associated economic consequences) require further investigation.