Vets, farmers agree last-resort antibiotic will no longer be used in Irish agriculture

No more colistin in the animal health sector in Ireland

An antibiotic used in hospitals for severe, multidrug-resistant infections will no longer be used on Irish farms, says the Animal Health Implementation Committee, which includes farmers and vets. Picture: iStock

Collaboration and leadership by Veterinary Ireland and the IFA has been praised by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue after a statement of intent to cease the use of colistin in the animal health sector in Ireland.

The Minister said, “This voluntary agreement by stakeholders is testimony to the commitment of the agri-sector in addressing antimicrobial resistance, and I acknowledge the importance of colistin, in treating life-threatening bacterial infections that cause significant mortality and morbidity in human healthcare.”