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Key messages: In 2024, sales of veterinary antimicrobials for food-producing animals in the EU fell by 24% compared to 2018. The reduction represents progress in reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance in both livestock and people, and protecting key water sources from pollutants.

Consumption and total sales of veterinary antimicrobials in the EU-27, 2018-2024

Note: A population correction unit (PCU) is a measure of animal biomass (kg) used as a proxy for the size of the animal population, taking into account the population and relative weight of animals This is used to estimate antimicrobial consumption. The use of this unit is limited to monitor the progress of EU’s target to reduce antimicrobial sales for food-producing animals and in aquaculture.

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The European Medicines Agency (EMA) publishes annual sales of antimicrobial veterinary medicinal products in the annual European sales and use of antimicrobials for veterinary medicine (ESUAvet) surveillance reports, under Article 57 of Regulation (EU) 2019/6. Chapter 3 of the ESUAvet reports are dedicated to the progress towards the target of reducing sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture in the EU by 50% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels.

In 2024, the consumption of veterinary antimicrobials by food-producing animals in 27 EU countries fell by 24.3% compared to 2018. This equals to almost half of the 50% reduction target for 2030 under the EU antimicrobial sales reduction  and Zero pollution action . Nevertheless, Member States will have to continue taking action to further reduce consumption of antimicrobials for farmed animals and aquaculture by another an additional 26%. The 2024 value represents a slight increase (4.7%) compared to 2023 and represents the second consecutive year with a modest increase in sales, after the lowest level in 2022 since the target was established. While the latest results may suggest that the overall declining trend is slowing down or reversing, additional data from future years is necessary to confirm whether this is an actual change or a short-term fluctuation.

In addition to mandating the collection of antimicrobial sales and use data in animals, the Regulation (EU) introduced measures to restrict and optimise the use of antimicrobial drugs. Promoting the prudent use of antibiotics will further reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance in both livestock and humans.

Cutting down on antimicrobials also comes with advantages for the environment. Some of these substances – such as sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and miconazole – are included in the European surface water on pollutants. This list aims to improve available information on identifying substances of greatest concern in important water resources such as streams, rivers and .

Please consult the relevant indicators and signals below for a more comprehensive overview on the topic.

Likely: The status and past trend indicate that the EU is likely to meet the target by 2030. The reduction achievedso far is more than half of the 2030 50% reduction target.

Agriculture and food
Production and consumption
  • Cyprus
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • Malta
  • Denmark
  • Sweden
  • Netherlands
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Germany
  • Luxembourg
  • Ireland
  • France
  • Slovakia
  • Czechia
  • Italy
  • Slovenia
  • Greece
  • Estonia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Finland
  • Hungary
  • Bulgaria
  • Poland
  • Romania
  • Croatia
2018-2021
European Environment AgencyEuropean Medicines Agency

Antimicrobials are a group of medicines that includes antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiprotozoals.

The antimicrobial substances covered in the EU sales reduction target all have antibiotic activity and are in VMPs formulated for systemic, intramammary and intrauterine use. For more information, see point 1 of Annex I to the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/578 . The classification of antimicrobial substances in this context corresponds to classes and subclasses defined in the ATCvet classification system.

The quantity of antimicrobial active substance sold (in mg) is normalised by the corresponding food-producing animal biomass (kg). Specifically for monitoring the progress towards the EU target and allow comparison with legacy data, sales are presented in mg/PCU, where 1 PCU equals 1 kg of animal biomass.

Tablets are excluded from the sales data for food-producing animals as they are assumed to be used almost exclusively in companion animals.

Population correction unit (PCU) is an animal biomass denominator to express the total quantities of antimicrobial substance sold relatively to the animal population that could potentially be treated with these in each country, where 1 PCU equals 1 kg of animal biomass. This unit is only used to monitor progress towards the EU target and allow comparison with legacy data.

Relevant objectives under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability

    • Minimise exposure of humans and environment to substances hazardous to health and the environment, through risk management measures and full information to users of chemicals

    • Restore human health and environment to a good quality status

Return to the main pages:

Minimise and control

Eliminate and remediate

EU indicator framework for chemicals

Zero Pollution Action Plan 2030 target or policy objectives

  • Reduce the sale of antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture by 50%

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Health
Zero pollution monitoring dashboard

Other relevant indicators and signals

Antibiotic consumption by humans in the EU (Indicator)
Antibiotic consumption by humans in the EU (Indicator)
Chemicals in European surface water and groundwater (Signal)
Chemicals in European surface water and groundwater (Signal)
Treatment of drinking water to remove PFAS (Signal)
Treatment of drinking water to remove PFAS (Signal)

References and footnotes

  1. EC, 2020, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS - A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (COM (2020) 381 final of 20 May 2020).
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  2. EC, 2021, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All - EU Action Plan: ‘Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’ (COM (2021) 400 final of 12 May 2021).
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  3. EU, 2018, Regulation (EU) 2019/6 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on veterinary medicinal products and repealing Directive 2001/82/EC (Text with EEA relevance) (O.J L 4, 7.1.2019, pp. 43-167
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  4. Gomez Cortes, L., et al., 2020, Selection of substances for the 3rd Watch List under the Water Framework Directive, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
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  5. EU 2022, Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/1307 of 22 July 2022 establishing a watch list of substances for Union-wide monitoring in the field of water policy pursuant to Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2022) 5098) (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 197, 26.7.2022, p. 117–120).
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