The European Parliament approved the ban on preventive treatment with antibiotics

In Europe as in countries exporting products to Europe, the use of antibiotics as a growth factors is prohibited. The European Parliament has approved a new Veterinary Medicines Directive that allows it.

Preventive use is only allowed in individual animals when a veterinarian has established that they present an increased risk of infection. Mating treatment is only allowed on sick animals on prescription from a veterinarian.

Reserve high-quality antibiotics for people

In addition, the bill offers the possibility of reserving high-quality antibiotics for human use, in order to reduce the problems of antibiotic resistance.

In order to stimulate the production of alternative veterinary medicines and new antibiotics, the European Parliament has improved the commercial protection of new medicines.

The European Parliament has also agreed to strengthen the policy on medicated feeds, for example by reducing the risk of mixing.

Slight consequences for the Netherlands

The Netherlands is at the forefront of antibiotic policy, which means that additional measures for the Netherlands will have little consequence.

Before the end of this year, the ministers of public health vote on the negotiating agreement reached. The law will come into force in 2022.