Figure 1 shows the measures adopted by the participant producers, showing that most of them focused on health management, biosecurity, the use of antiinflammatory products and vaccination. On-farm measures The importance of industry commitment Among all livestock in The Netherlands, the pig sector was the one who initially submitted one of the highest levels of consumption of antibiotics and also the largest reduction, with production practices being very similar to those carried out in the rest of the EU and the world. Most producers indicated that the implementation of the measures was done after consultation with their veterinarian more than 3 years ago. Furthermore, once implemented, these measures remained in force. To find out about the measures taken to improve animal health and minimize the impact of reducing the use of antibiotics, 56 producers of sow breeding farms participated in a series of surveys during summer of 2018. Avoiding routine use of antibiotics Increase in preventive vaccinations Improved hygiene Use of analgesics and antiinflammatories Yes: 81,5% >9 years: 9,3% 6-9 years: 11,1% 3-6 years: 38,9% <3 years: 22,2% Yes: 67,3% >9 years: 38,2% 6-9 years: 7,3% 3-6 years: 14,6% <3 years: 7,3% Pay more attention to pest control Improved environmental control Yes: 81,1% >9 years: 20% 6-9 years: 12,7% 3-6 years: 41,8% <3 years: 7,3% Yes: 60% >9 years: 21,8% 6-9 years: 5,5% 3-6 years: 18,2% <3 years: 14,6% Yes: 59,3% >9 years: 27,8% 6-9 years: 3,7% 3-6 years: 24,1% <3 years: 3,7% Measures taken by > 50% producers on breeding sow farms Yes: 76,4% >9 years: 12,7% 6-9 years: 14,6% 3-6 years: 36,4% <3 years: 12,7% Yes: 74,4% >9 years: 34,6% 6-9 years: 14,6% 3-6 years: 12,7% <3 years: 12,7% Yes: 65,4% >9 years: 21,8% 6-9 years: 10,9% 3-6 years: 20% <3 years: 12,7% Apply individual veterinary treatments antibiotics Figure 1. Measures taken by 50% or more of the 56 breeding sow producers surveyed to improve animal health (% of producers). Of the total producers that implemented each measure, the percentage that implemented it more than 9 years ago, 6-9 years ago, 3-6 years ago and less than 3 years ago is shown. Increased animal health checks Yes: 63% >9 years: 18,5% 6-9 years: 7,4% 3-6 years: 20,4% <3 years: 16,7% Yes: 56,4% >9 years: 29,1% 6-9 years: 9,1% 3-6 years: 10,9% <3 years: 7,3% Improvement of feed quality Yes: 40% >9 years: 18,2% 6-9 years: 5,5% 3-6 years: 9,1% <3 years: 7,3% Acquisition of healthier/ stronger sows Restriction on the origin of breeding sows 37 pigPorknews August 2020 | Impact of reducing antibiotic use, the dutch experience