The UK ruminant antibiotic stewardship (ABS) roadmap initiative has delivered its research report and roadmap, outlining how the UK ruminant sector can prove – and improve – responsible antibiotic use, while protecting animal health and welfare and maintaining public confidence.
The findings and recommendations of this work are set out in two documents:
- The UK ruminant antibiotic stewardship roadmap report: promoting and evidencing responsible antibiotic stewardship in the UK ruminant sector – a detailed report presenting findings, conclusions and recommendations from mixed-methods research and stakeholder co-design with more than 560 individuals from the UK ruminant sector.
- The UK ruminant antibiotic stewardship roadmap – a summary of the research report, setting out what needs to happen across the sector.
Why this matters
Protecting the effectiveness of antibiotics is a responsibility that spans both human and animal health. Responsible use helps us to protect animal health and welfare, safeguards the effectiveness of the medicines the farming sector depends on, and underpins the reputation of UK farming, essential to trade.
The UK ruminant sector has made substantial voluntary progress on ABS to date, which indicates antibiotic use remains relatively low in many systems. However, without robust national usage data, we can’t consistently demonstrate that progress – or see clearly where further improvement is needed. As a result, the sector risks being defined by what it cannot demonstrate rather than by what it has achieved.
Through the course of this work which started in October 2025, the UK ruminant sector has come together to co-develop the roadmap which has:
- Identified how to further promote and demonstrate responsible ABS at UK ruminant farm-level to drive progress and enhance animal health and welfare.
- Co-designed how best to collate and report sufficient evidence of antibiotic usage (ABU) at UK national level to satisfy both customers and authorities.
The research findings and recommendations were presented at British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) Congress in October 2026.
Key findings
The research findings show a sector that agrees on the destination but has not yet agreed the exact route. There is genuine consensus that responsible antibiotic use should be demonstrated, and that vet-held data reconciled with animal numbers at an annual visit is the most credible foundation for this.
The standout conclusions from the research and the summit are:
- The number serves the conversation, not the target. It is the vet–farmer conversation, not the number in isolation, that changes practice.
- Vets see themselves as trusted advisors and advocates, not enforcers. The role of the vet is advisory, and being cast as the ‘policeman of the state’ for antibiotic use would undermine the vet-farmer relationship which is the real engine of behaviour change and should be protected.
- Transparency on supply of antibiotics is an important enabler. For vets to be accountable for antibiotic stewardship on farms under their care, they need to have sight of the full dispensing history and be supported by better systems for reporting and investigating illegal supply.
Fragmented leadership, different systems and competing requirements have all been part of the challenge. A workable solution depends on the whole ruminant sector – farmers, vets, industry, processors, retailers, policymakers and regulators – getting behind a coordinated approach but also playing their part in delivering it.
Recommendations
The roadmap sets a clear direction for strengthening evidence, collaboration and continuous improvement, with key recommendations to:
- Develop a UK-wide minimum dataset and national reporting framework with flexibility for devolved nations.
- Use anonymised AMU data supplied by dispensing veterinary practices and authorised specialist veterinary medicine retailers.
- Support annual, veterinary-led farm reviews based on trusted and confidential farmer-veterinarian conversations, underpinned by more detailed data.
- Use those reviews to support continuous improvement in disease resilience, biosecurity, vaccination, diagnostics and husbandry.
Farmers, veterinarians, industry, processors, retailers, policymakers and regulators must show active participation and commitment to maintain animal health and welfare, protect public trust and support the sector’s future sustainability.
Under AMAST phase 2, Cultivating mindsets and practices for antimicrobial stewardship in agrifood systems, further funding will be provided to support collaborative efforts to implement the roadmap. This work will co-design trusted ways to collect and use antimicrobial-use data so farmers and veterinarians can understand their own use, benchmark progress and make informed stewardship decisions.
Hear more about the roadmap
The co-chairs of the roadmap initiative will be discussing the findings and recommendations from this work in a webinar chaired by RUMA Agriculture on Wednesday 27 October.
With thanks for their support
This roadmap is the result of a truly collaborative effort, and we thank everyone who contributed to its development.
The three co-chairs have been responsible for the strategic direction and co-production activities:
- Fiona Lovatt (Chair, Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group and RCVS Knowledge)
- Mark Jelley (Beef farmer and finisher; Chair, Cattle Antibiotic Guardian Group)
- David Black (BCVA President 2025/26).
The project was led and coordinated by RCVS Knowledge, who conceptualised the project, led on the methodology, provided secretariat to arrange meetings, coordinated communications and published the final report and roadmap.
We are grateful to the partnership of the AMAST Network and to its Flexible Fund initiative, supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) which funded this research.
The Royal Veterinary College provided vital academic expertise for the robust collation of evidence.
RUMA Agriculture has provided expertise and personnel and, together with VMD and AHDB, provided support to the Cattle and Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Groups (CAGG and SAGG).
The support and commitment of everyone involved recognises the vital role of antimicrobial stewardship in protecting animal health and welfare, reducing antimicrobial resistance, maintaining public confidence and industry reputation, safeguarding market access for red meat and dairy products, and helping to preserve the effectiveness of veterinary medicines for future generations.
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