Biosecurity: the path to raising pigs without antibiotics?

Worldwide, pigs are one of the most commonly raised animals for meat production. To meet the rising demand for animal protein, livestock production has been intensified during the past decades. This intensification was accompanied by increased stocking density, leading to a more efficient pathogen transmission between live animals, resulting in increased antimicrobial use (AMU). Unfortunately, AMU results in selection pressure for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Europe and in Belgium, efforts are made to reduce AMU. Also legislation has changed and monitoring of AMU became obligatory, and prophylactic medication of groups of pigs was prohibited. Since 2011, AMU in all pig categories, i.e. suckling piglets, nursery pigs, fattening pigs, and breeding pigs, has decreased in Belgium. However, further efforts must be made.