Preventative medicine use on farms increases by 25%, conference hears

THE use of preventative medicines on farms has increased by 25% in the last 12 months and by 64% in the last five years, those attending the Animal and Plant Health Association conference were told.

The figures compiled by Gfk Kynetec, which monitors trends in the sale of animal health products in over 3,000 outlets nationwide, highlight the dramatic swing towards the use of vaccines to prevent diseases in cattle, sheep and pigs. The outlets include 900 veterinary practices, co-op branches, merchants and pharmacies.

Denise Roche of Gfk Kynetec told the association conference that usage of cattle vaccines increased by 30% in the 12 months to August last and usage of pig vaccines increased by 21%. She said cattle vaccines now account for the biggest segment of the animal health market.