The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has launched a campaign urging EU institutions to restrict the use of antibiotics in livestock.
Unveiled on European Antibiotic Awareness Day yesterday (18 November), the campaign stems from tests by the BEUC’s member organisations on raw meat sold in nine European countries.
Its findings revealed that 72-98% of poultry samples were contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, from meat tested in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
The BEUC added that lower rates must also not be overlooked as, for example, samples tested in France contained ‘superbugs’ - bacteria resistant to several antibiotics.
The organisation is calling for EU-wide rules that would restrict the use of antibiotics as a ‘first-resort’ response.
Monique Goyens, director general of the BEUC, said: "Best practice is to reduce the use of antibiotics on animals which will end up on our plates. For instance, Denmark slashed antimicrobial use in poultry by 90% in 13 years.
"We must administer antibiotics to sick animals only, and exclude healthy ones. Moreover, those antibiotics which we crucially need to treat humans must not be given to animals if we are to curb resistance.
"Apart from going easy on antibiotics and following a few tips at home – such as cooking meat thoroughly – there’s little more we can do as consumers. So there’s a real need for the European Commission to bolster its plans which patently lack ambition as they stand. It is not too late to defuse the resistance time bomb, but tough remedies are needed, and quickly."
EU agriculture organisation Copa-Cogeca also highlighted the importance of tackling antimicrobial resistance in livestock, yesterday, warning it is a serious issue in the EU and worldwide.
Pekka Pesonen, secretary-general, said: "Biosecurity measures, good husbandry systems, good feed and hygienic conditions certainly play a crucial role in disease prevention, though animals can still get sick and they need to be treated for both animal health and welfare reasons.
"Appropriate therapy and veterinary medicines, therefore, must be available in all member states and for all species, including minor species, which currently face a severe lack of veterinary medicines. One of the reasons antimicrobial resistance has worsened is due to the lack of investment to develop new effective antibiotics or feasible alternatives to cure the animals."
He said the responsible use of antimicrobials was a shared responsibility between veterinarians, farmers, the food chain and public authorities.