Breeders of pigs, broiler chickens, laying hens or veal calves will receive an AB status determined by their first Sanitel-Med benchmarking report of 2025. Depending on the status – green, yellow or red – the breeder may be obliged to take certain measures.
Under the new Royal Decree of 17 December 2024 on the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance in animals, breeders of pigs, broiler chickens, laying hens or veal calves will be assigned an AB farm status. This status will be determined by their first Sanitel-Med benchmarking report of 2025. Farm veterinarians will also be involved if measures need to be taken.
Depending on the status – green, yellow or red – the farmer may be required to take certain measures. This may involve the farm veterinarian and the breeder setting up a farm health plan within six months of receiving the report. The farm health plan will include an assessment of the farm's status in terms of the prevention and control of infections and biosecurity, as well as an action plan to improve the health situation of the herds.
This farm health plan is mandatory for breeders with yellow or red farm status.
Breeders who have received three consecutive red AB farm statuses are required to appoint an accredited Antibiotic Reduction (AR) coach within two months and for a minimum period of 24 months, in consultation with the farm veterinarian, with the aim of improving the situation.
Farms with green status are exempt from the above measures.
The threshold values used to determine the AB status of a farm are set out in the Ministerial Order on the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance in animals accompanying the Royal Decree. The Ministerial Order also lists the minimum elements that must make up the farm health plan, as well as those that must be specified in the terms of cooperation between the breeder and the accredited AR coach.
Further information
Royal Decree of 17 December 2024
Newsletter of the FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment
AMCRA News