Headline recommendations from the O'Neill report on antimicrobial resistance published yesterday will be incorporated into National Pig Association's (NPA) recently launched Antibiotic Stewardship Programme.

"We support the report's view that unnecessary use of antimicrobials in agriculture can cause a threat to human health and we agree with its key findings concerning agriculture," said NPA chief executive Dr Zoe Davies.

"Its recommendations regarding improved animal health education, the need for accurate data on antibiotic usage, and restricting the use of last-resort antibiotics are already included in our new stewardship programme.."

The O'Neill report, "Tackling Drug-Resistant Infections Globally", proposes a concerted international approach to reducing unnecessary use of antimicrobials in both human and farm medicine. It voices concern about countries where non-targeted use of antibiotics is still allowed.

"We can't do much ourselves about countries where antibiotics are used indiscriminately, but we can take the necessary actions to make sure our own standards are beyond reproach," said Dr Georgina Crayford, NPA senior adviser.

"Although the British pig industry aims to be a responsible user of antibiotics, there is inevitably room for improvement, and this will be our focus as we step up collection of data so we can introduce best-practice bench-marking."

Market round-up

United Auctions sold 789 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 275.2p per kg and an average of 217.2p (-1.2p on the week), while 858 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 281.6p and levelled at 228.1p (+3.3p). One-hundred-and-seven store, B&W bullocks sold to 180.3p and averaged 143.2p (+9p).

In the rough ring 172 beef cows averaged 126p and 27 dairy cattle levelled at 100.2p.

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 4 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 211.5p and an average of 189.2p, while a prime bullock fetched 217.5p.

There were 57 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 125.3p and dairy cows levelled at 89.3p.

The firm also sold 175 prime hoggs to a top of £78.50 per head and 186p per kg to average 146.2p (-26.8p), while 58 prime lambs peaked at £99 and 207p to level at 193.5p (-31.6p).

The 165 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £84.50 for Texels and average £65.02, while light ewes peaked at £62.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £54.75.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd had a poor, end-of-season show of 100 hoggs forward in Newton Stewart on Wednesday that sold to £86.50 and 178p to average 144p (-43.2p), while 244 prime lambs peaked at £100 and 204.7p to level at 185p (-23.4p).

There were also 111 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £105.50 for Suffolks and £66.50 for Blackfaces.