News24 August 2026
Leading figures from the UK ruminant sector came together on 30 June to tackle the challenge of proving and improving responsible antibiotic stewardship (ABS). Hosted by RCVS Knowledge and opened by Lord Trees, the summit saw around 80 representatives from the dairy, beef and sheep industries, and governments from the devolved nations, unite to discuss their common challenges and to share insights and ideas which will inform a practical plan (roadmap) to be published in October this year.
The working group leading this initiative, co-chaired by David Black (BCVA President), Mark Jelley (Cattle Antibiotic Guardian Group – CAGG) and Fiona Lovatt (Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group – SAGG and Farm Vet Champions clinical lead, RCVS Knowledge), is supported through the AMAST Network and its flexible fund initiative, sponsored by UKRI.
Attendees to the summit focused on reviewing the ideas and challenges generated through research conducted with stakeholders from across all parts of the ruminant sector earlier this year. The summit provided a valuable platform for collaboration and gathering feedback, with participants contributing insights, experiences, and ideas around the barriers to and facilitators of antibiotic data collection and stewardship. Discussions focused on key themes including: how to unite the sector and the UK; making data recording practical, feasible and useful; who should be leading, mandating or enforcing new approaches; addressing fears around data sharing, and possible ways in which responsible use of antibiotics could be demonstrated.
David Black, reflecting on the success of the event, said: “I’m really impressed by the quality and depth of the research, which led into a really collaborative and positive focused summit, which we’re now spending time distilling down into what looks to be a promising first draft of the roadmap.”
Following detailed analysis of the recommendations emerging from the summit, the steering group will develop a roadmap that reflects the priorities identified by participants and contains actionable strategies to enable better demonstration of stewardship to drive sustained progress.
The roadmap will be officially launched by the group co-chairs at BCVA Congress on 15 October, setting out key actions, objectives, and opportunities for collaboration across the sector.
Further updates on the roadmap’s development and launch will be shared in the coming weeks.
