Antibiotic use in livestock farming declines further

The Dutch livestock sector continues to make progress in reducing antibiotic use. However, the figures for 2025 present a mixed picture. The downward trend continues, but not across every sector. The veal calf and broiler sectors require particular attention. New agreements and further research should help reduce antibiotic use.

New agreement with veal calf sector

Average antibiotic use in the veal calf sector has remained stable for several years. The number of farms with high antibiotic use is not declining either. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature therefore reached new agreements with the sector. By 2032, the number of farms with high antibiotic use must be reduced by half. The sector will compare the number of farms with the 2026 level.

This agreement builds on an earlier target. The veal calf sector aims to reduce antibiotic use by 50 percent by 2032 compared with 2022. State Secretary Silvio Erkens emphasizes the efforts made by the sectors and veterinarians. “At the same time, the veal calf sector still faces an important challenge.”

Lower antibiotic resistance in animals

Since 2009, sales of antibiotics for animals have fallen by 77.2 percent. Antibiotic resistance in animals has also declined as a result.

Antibiotics are essential for treating sick animals. Unnecessary or improper use can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. This makes infections more difficult to treat in both humans and animals. In some cases, these infections can even become life-threatening.

Sharp increase among broilers

Antibiotic use among broilers increased by nearly 25 percent in 2025. This is notable after years of substantial declines. Since 2011, antibiotic use in this sector has fallen by 80 percent. In recent years, use appeared to be stabilizing.

The poultry sector is investigating the reasons behind the increase. It is also assessing what farmers and veterinarians can do. These efforts should help bring antibiotic use among broilers back down.

Rijksoverheid.nl