New Zealand is making progress in the fight against anti-microbial resistance, with sales of veterinary and horticultural antibiotics falling for the seventh consecutive year, says New Zealand Food Safety’s deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.
“Antibiotics are essential for the treatment of bacterial infections in humans, animals and plants. If they are not used carefully, and in the prescribed amounts, we run the risk that bacteria will develop resistance to the drugs, which could have devastating effects on our health and economy.”
The latest antibiotics sales figures for plants and animals, released today in New Zealand Food Safety’s annual Antibiotic Agricultural Compound Sales Analysis report, are a clear sign that antibiotics are being more carefully used, Mr Arbuckle says.
“The falling sales are a result of a concerted effort by veterinarians, farmers, industry and New Zealand Food Safety to ensure these life-saving medicines are used appropriately so they work as intended.”
The report evaluated 18 classes of antibiotics sold during 2024 for use for farm animals, pets, and horticulture.
“Since a 2017 peak of 71,361kg, total antibiotic sales have dropped to 37,858kg in 2024. That’s an impressive 47% decrease,” says Mr Arbuckle. “Additionally, results show a 4% drop since 2023.”
As part of ongoing work to ensure the continued effectiveness of antibiotics, New Zealand Food Safety is reviewing the regulatory oversight of antibiotics used on plants and animals.
“This extensive piece of work, which involves reassessing and reclassifying hundreds of antibiotic products, has been divided into 4 tranches. Tranche one has been completed with tranche 2 in progress.”
You can read about the tranche one results here:
“We also work closely with the Ministry of Health and international regulators in an effort to manage AMR,” says Mr Arbuckle.
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
Find out more
Read more about the New Zealand Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan which has been jointly developed by Ministry of Health, New Zealand Food Safety and representatives from across the human health, animal health and agriculture sectors.
New Zealand Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan – Ministry of Health
New Zealand Food Safety published the New Zealand Plant and Animal Sectors’ AMR Implementation Plan last year to underpin the national initiative.
New Zealand Plant and Animal Sectors’ AMR Implementation Plan [PDF, 552 KB]
Read more about antimicrobial resistance: Controlling and preventing antimicrobial resistance
Total antibiotic sales quantities by class in kg - Infographic [PNG, 32 KB]
