The UK poultry industry has cut antibiotic use by 83% since 2012, according to the British Poultry Council’s 2025 Antibiotic Stewardship Report. The sector has also achieved a 99% reduction in Critically Important Antibiotics and eliminated preventative antibiotic use entirely.
The council attributes the decline to coordinated stewardship measures across the supply chain, including data sharing, transparency, and adherence to responsible-use frameworks. Antibiotics are administered only under veterinary supervision when necessary, aligning with government-approved RUMA targets.
The UK poultry industry was the first in the country to adopt a voluntary antibiotic reduction strategy in 2011. The latest report moves away from traditional statistics, presenting case studies that illustrate the principles guiding the sector’s approach to responsible medicine use.
The British Poultry Council highlights that these measures maintain animal welfare while contributing to efforts against antimicrobial resistance. The full report is available through the council’s website.