A minimum national dataset, better use of antibiotic dispensing data already being collected, and support for veterinary-led reviews which build stronger farmer-vet relationships, offer a practical route through the longstanding challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic use in UK cattle and sheep farming.
That is the conclusion of the new sector-developed UK ruminant antibiotic stewardship (ABS) roadmap, launching on the opening day (Thursday 15th October) at BCVA Congress.
David Black (BCVA President), Mark Jelley (beef farmer and finisher, Cattle Antibiotic Guardian Group – CAGG) and Fiona Lovatt (Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group – SAGG and farm medicines clinical lead, RCVS Knowledge) are sharing the report and roadmap, which represents the culmination of a whole year of work carried out by a cross-sector collaborative initiative to help the UK ruminant sector prove - and improve - responsible antibiotic stewardship.
The UK ruminant sector has made substantial voluntary progress on ABS to date, which indicates antibiotic use remains relatively low in many systems. However, without robust national usage data, the ruminant sectors can’t consistently demonstrate that progress – or see clearly where further improvement is needed. As a result, the sector risks being defined by what it cannot demonstrate rather than by what it has achieved which could ultimately lead to severe consequences across trade, public trust and medicine access.
Stakeholders from across all ruminant sectors and all nations of the UK have contributed valuable expertise, time and resources to developing this route forward. A programme of mixed-methods research was led by RCVS Knowledge in partnership with the ruminant ABS roadmap steering group and the Royal Veterinary College researchers at the AMAST Network. The research findings were then presented at a national summit on 30 June 2026 where delegates discussed the barriers to and facilitators of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship, developing ideas for the way forward which have been captured in the roadmap.
The roadmap directly addresses barriers that have frustrated progress for years, including unclear and potentially excessive data requirements, fragmented leadership and systems, limited incentives, concerns about confidentiality and the farmer–vet relationship, and mistrust arising from previous initiatives.
The roadmap also concludes that no single part of the industry can solve the problem alone. Fragmented approaches have contributed to duplication and the absence of a coherent UK-wide picture, making a coordinated, whole-industry approach essential moving forward.
The roadmap sets out key recommendations to:
- Develop a UK-wide minimum dataset and national reporting framework with flexibility for devolved nations.
- Use anonymised AMU data supplied by dispensing veterinary practices and pharmacies.
- Support annual, veterinary-led farm reviews based on trusted and confidential farmer-veterinarian conversations, underpinned by more detailed data.
- Use those reviews to support continuous improvement in disease resilience, biosecurity, vaccination, diagnostics and husbandry.
Fiona Lovatt, co-chair of the initiative and farm medicines clinical lead at RCVS Knowledge said: “UK ruminant farming has made substantial progress on antibiotic stewardship, but until we can demonstrate how antibiotics are being used, we cannot fully substantiate claims about responsible use – or see clearly where further improvement is needed.
“We have spent a long time discussing the difficulties of collecting these data. This work gives us a practical way forward: be clear about what we actually need nationally, make better use of data already being collected, and ensure more detailed information delivers value back to farmers and their vets.”
The roadmap has so far garnered strong support from those who have engaged in the development process.
Clare Wise, NFU Livestock Board Chair said: "Using antibiotics responsibly is something UK livestock farmers take extremely seriously. This Roadmap demonstrates our sector's continued commitment to safeguarding animal health and welfare while reducing reliance on antibiotics wherever possible. Through collaboration across the supply chain, we can build on the significant progress already made and ensure antibiotics remain effective tools for treating disease when animals genuinely need them."
Kate Rowell, Chair of Quality Meat Scotland, said: “As a livestock farmer, I think this UK ruminant ABS roadmap is really important. Following this roadmap will help us prove that our sector deserves it's strong reputation for high animal health and welfare."
The steering group is now calling on the wider ruminant sector to take shared responsibility for turning evidence into action and to support the implementation of the roadmap. Farmers, veterinarians, industry, processors, retailers, policymakers and regulators must show active participation and commitment to maintain animal health and welfare, protect public trust and support the sector’s future sustainability.
Under AMAST phase 2, Cultivating mindsets and practices for antimicrobial stewardship in agrifood systems, further funding will be provided to support collaborative efforts to implement the roadmap. This work will co-design trusted ways to collect and use antimicrobial-use data so farmers and veterinarians can understand their own use, benchmark progress and make informed stewardship decisions.
The steering group co-chairs will appear in a webinar on 27 October chaired by RUMA Agriculture where they will discuss the findings of the research and the recommendations laid out in the report in more detail. The webinar is free to attend and you can register on the RUMA website.
Read the report and roadmap published by RCVS Knowledge on 15 October 2026. This work has been supported through the AMAST Network and its flexible fund initiative, sponsored by UKRI.
