UK Gamebird antibiotic use shows signs of stabilising after years of decline, but targets remain unmet

The latest UK-VARSS report reveals a slowdown in the decline of antibiotic use in gamebird farming, with the sector missing recent reduction targets despite longstanding progress.

Gamebird antibiotic use has fallen sharply over the past decade, but the pace of improvement has slowed and the sector has missed its latest reduction target, according to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s 2024 UK-VARSS report.

The figures, collected through the Game Farmers’ Association and the British Veterinary Poultry Association gamebird subcommittee, put usage at 10.3 tonnes of active ingredient last year. That is 48% below the 2016 baseline, yet 5% higher than 2023. The VMD says most of the long-term decline came in the earlier years of the series, between 2016 and 2018.

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust argues the remaining scope for cuts lies in release pen management. Writing on its advisory blog, Alex Keeble said disease pressure often begins with stress caused by weather, disturbance, crowding, food shortage or predation. The trust says prevention is cheaper than medication and points to better pen design, more feeders and drinkers, and stronger woodland management.

Its guidance recommends no more than 1,000 pheasants per hectare in woodland release pens, dropping to 700 in sensitive sites such as ancient semi-natural woodland. The trust says well-managed pens can also improve biodiversity.

Industry tools now include the Game Farmers’ Association’s pen scoring matrix and Trusted Game, an audit scheme launched in 2022. The next annual figures will show whether last year’s rise was a one-off or a warning sign.