The UK ruminant industry is being urged to act now to keep up on how to demonstrate responsible antibiotic use, as a new industry-wide review is launched.
The survey is part of the Ruminant Roadmap initiative, which seeks input from across the sector on the challenge of demonstrating responsible antimicrobial and antibiotic stewardship.
This forms the first stage of a collaborative program bringing together farmers, veterinarians and other stakeholders to jointly develop a practical roadmap to support animal health and welfare while strengthening confidence in how antibiotics are used.
The role of data is central to this effort, which aims to precisely define the ruminant antibiotic use information required for farm-level and national reporting. The goal is to ensure that data collection is responsibly collated and shared while delivering clear value to farms and veterinary practices.
Survey responses will help identify what data is already available and where the problems are, allowing us to better understand barriers to collection and use and address them in ways that benefit those providing the information.
Together with insights from workshops and summit events, the results will shape practical plans to improve current approaches. This aims to support animal health and welfare while helping to protect the UK’s important export market.
Mark Jelley, chairman of the Cattle Antibiotic Guardian Group, supported the introduction, saying that while farmers are “already required to record the purchase and use of veterinary medicines”, it is “difficult to translate this requirement into evidence of responsible use while remaining confident that the data is being used responsibly”.
He warned that the ruminant sector was at risk of losing its international standing, saying: “Other food-producing species in the UK can confidently demonstrate the use of medicines” and “many competing countries also now legislate around this data collection”.
People working in the UK ruminant sector are encouraged to take part, including farmers, veterinarians, academics and government staff. Organizers represent the entire ruminant sector and voices from across the UK, stressing the vital importance of shaping solutions across the industry.
The survey is open until February 28, 2026 and is available online.
