An epidemiological analysis of the level of biosecurity and animal welfare on pig farms in Japan and their effect on the use of veterinary antimicrobials.

ABSTRACT: In Japan the highest use of veterinary antimicrobials is in pig production. To obtain useful information to achieve the best approach to reducing this use, we analyzed the association between the level of on-farm biosecurity and animal welfare with the level of antimicrobial use as recorded on prescriptions on 38 pig farms under contract to veterinarians of the Japanese Association of Swine Veterinarians. To determine the level of welfare we recorded the risk of pre- and post-weaning deaths and the floor space available per fattening pig (m²/head). Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed, using biosecurity scores and animal welfare indicators as independent variables and the amount of antimicrobial usage as dependent variables. The results showed that the higher s

SUBMITTER: Isomura R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6305507 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature