project - EIP-AGRI Operational Group
Implementation of working protocols to reduce the use of antibiotics in dairy cow farms
Instauración de protocolos de trabajo para reducir el uso de antibióticos en granjas de bovino lechero
Objectives
The main objective of this project is to implement working protocols in dairy farming that will allow for a reduction in the use of antibiotics on farms:
1) Drying off of dairy cows: To create a new working protocol based on monitoring of the animals’ medical history, together with a control analysis of the condition of the mammary gland prior to the drying off.
2) Treatment of intrauterine infections during the post-partum period: To implement preventive practices prior to labour, in order to reduce the risk of post-partum intrauterine infections. As a secondary objective, we aim to assess the impact of the new working protocols on the reduction of antibiotic resistance in farms.
Objectives
El objetivo principal del proyecto es instaurar protocolos de trabajo en granjas de vacas lecheras que permitan reducir el uso de los antibióticos en las explotaciones:
1) Periodo de secado: crear un protocolo nuevo de trabajo basado en los controles analíticos que permitan conocer el estado sanitario de la glándula mamaria previo al secado.
2) Tratamiento de las infecciones intrauterinas durante el postparto: establecer prácticas preventivas para reducir el riesgo de infecciones intrauterinas durante el postparto. Como objetivo secundario nos proponemos valorar el impacto de los nuevos protocolos de trabajo sobre la reducción de las resistencias a los antibióticos dentro de las explotaciones.
Activities
The introduction of selective drying-off measures on dairy cattle farms reduces the use of preventive antibiotics without increasing the risk of intramammary infections. Other measures proposed in the project, such as the reduction of the incidence of metritis, have not been shown to have sufficient benefits to justify their implementation.
Finally, it is considered that the dairy cattle sector must take action against the increase in antibiotic resistance and continue to look for strategies to reduce the use of antibiotics.
Activities
Como conclusión, implementar medidas de secado selectivo en las explotaciones de vacuno lechero reduce el uso de los antibióticos de forma preventiva sin incrementar el riesgo de infecciones intramamarias. Otras actuaciones propuestas en el proyecto, tales como la reducción de la incidencia de metritis, no han tenido unos beneficios suficientes como para implementar las medidas propuestas.
Finalmente, se considera que el sector vacuno lechero debe actuar frente al incremento de las resistencias a los antibióticos y seguir buscando estrategias para reducir su uso.
Context
Increasing resistance to antibiotics has been confirmed by European health authorities. The use of antibiotics in animal production continues to be in the spotlight as one of the main causes of development and maintenance of such resistance. Among the different actions that can be carried out to reduce the use of antibiotics in animal production, this project will focus on implementing two of those included in the European Union recommendations: prevention of the systematic treatment of dairy cows during the dry period and development of preventive practices (specifically, in post-partum intrauterine pathologies).
Project details
- Main funding source
- Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups
- Rural Development Programme
- 2014ES06RDRP009 Spain - Rural Development Programme (Regional) - Cataluña
Location
- Main geographical location
- Girona
€ 248500
Total budget
Total contributions from EAFRD, national co-financing, additional national financing and other financing.
Project keyword
Contacts
Project coordinator
-
SAT SANT MER
Project coordinator
Project partners
-
VETHER GIRONA, S.L
Project partner