Approaches to reduce antibiotic resistance in the pork supply chain

Occasionally, use of antibiotics is necessary to treat diseased animals. Prudent use is however necessary, as antibiotic usage can evoke the selection and propagation of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance in pigs is primarily a occupational risk for those who are in contact with pigs. Secondly, contamination of the environment and fresh food may expose the general population to resistant bacteria. Strict hygiene at slaughter (including a zero tolerance on fecal contamination) can prevent the contamination of food with resistant bacteria. Recent experience in The Netherlands shows that obligatory reporting of antibiotic usage and accompanying benchmarking, can result in a marked reduction. Also a ban on use of critical antibiotics (fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins) appeared to be feasible. We hypothesize that good animal health and optimal biosecurity are crucial to further reduce the occurrence and propagation of antibiotic resistance. To support the farmers, veterinarians, and other advisors in these areas, we assumed that the collection of data on health parameters in the slaughterhouse has an added value. Pathological findings is “classical” information about the health of the slaughtered animals. It was studied whether serological results from blood collected in the slaughterhouse, can be complementary information We show that differences in Salmonella- , Mycobacterium avium- and Toxoplasma- status can be used as a derivative of internal and external biosecurity at the farm. Serology on slaughterhouse blood for pathogens of the lung disease complex(e.g. PRRSV and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae) provides additional information, which can support the animal health management. It is concluded that future challenges lay in exchange of easily accessible information collected in slaughterhouses, development of management alternatives based on this information, and development of additional serological methods.