The TSDG is the UK’s largest dedicated sustainable dairy group. Its relatively small size and integrated approach has afforded Tesco the ability to create a much more integrated supply chain, working in partnership with their farmer suppliers.
Tesco said they were to advise their members against using antimicrobials which follows other efforts in the dairy industry to curb antibiotics.
TSDG farmers will be required to report antibiotics use.
NFU Staff blog from graduate trainee Gemma Harvey said from a Tesco dairy conference that the group is planning to ‘drive progression in terms of welfare, antibiotic usage and on other health issues such as Johnes.’
Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK, said: «The UK dairy industry has always operated to the highest standards of animal health and food safety, advocating a responsible and prudent use of antibiotics.
«However, we cannot be complacent and, as antimicrobial resistance becomes a growing concern, we want to take industry standards even further and raise the bar for good practice on farm.
«This will give consumers and customers even greater confidence that British milk is a pure and wholesome food.
«We strongly believe that a more informed use of antibiotics will lead to a reduced use. These new measures are designed to get vets, farmers and milk purchasers working together for optimal results.»
Risk register
A study by the University of Cambridge revealed the presence of three highly important antibiotics across British origin pig and chicken meat in major supermarkets.
Following the findings, the Food Standards Agency pledged to work with supermarkets to cut farm antibiotic use.
In addition, Waitrose updated their antibiotic-use policy in September to state that they are working towards significant year on year reductions.
Antimicrobial resistance in the dairy and beef sectors is being placed at the top of government risk registers alongside terrorism and pandemic flu, according to a Cattle Health and Welfare group report.
The report highlighted areas such as mastitis, lameness and longevity, and for the first time looked in depth at the issues facing the dairy and beef sectors around antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
«With the UK Government placing AMR at the top of its risk register alongside terrorism and pandemic flu, it is heartening to see that the Cattle Health and Welfare group, in common with other livestock sectors, has grasped the nettle in looking first at how the cattle sector can better capture data on use of antimicrobials,» said Nigel Gibbens, UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Sheila Voas, Scottish CVO, and Christianne Glossop, Welsh CVO, in their joint foreword.
Source: FarmingUK
Link: https://www.farminguk.com/news/Tesco-dairy-group-plans-to-cut-use-of-antibiotics_45376.html