FAR CPD 2020-21: Antimicrobial resistance and the role of good nutrition in helping to reduce antibiotic use on farm
AIC Services have released their latest Continual Professional Development (CPD) training for advisers registered within the Feed Adviser Register (FAR). This CPD explores the issue of antimicrobial resistance and how good nutrition can form part of the solution to reduce antibiotic use on farm, ensuring livestock remain healthy and build up immunity to disease.
The new CPD launch comes as RUMA announces new goals, as set out in ‘Targets Task Force Report 2020’, following a successful implementation of the previous targets from 2017. So far, these goals have helped halve UK sales of antibiotics for treating farm animals and helped the UK become the fifth-lowest for usage in Europe.
The report, launched alongside the Veterinary Medicine Directorate’s (VMD) release of antibiotic sales data for 2019 (VARSS report), covers 10 sectors across aquaculture, pigs, poultry and ruminants. For the first time, calf rearing is examined in isolation in order to focus in on the specific health and welfare interventions that will reduce the need for antibiotic treatments.
AIC welcome both the progress detailed in the new VARSS report and the new targets and have developed this latest CPD training in partnership with industry experts, including vets and nutritionists.
The course is delivered in two parts:
- Part 1 considers the issues around antimicrobial resistance and the progress which has been made within the livestock sector to reduce antibiotic use.
- Part 2 looks at the individual livestock species of cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, the challenges within each of the species and the role good nutrition can play in providing solutions.
The latest CPD module complements existing FAR training material, ensuing that feed advisers continue to develop their technical skills and enhance their ability to contribute towards efficient and sustainable livestock production.
Further details can be found on the AIC website at: www.agindustries.org.uk/feed-adviser-register/training-and-cpd/continual-professional-development
For more information, please contact:

Sue Whittington
Sue is a Technical Manager for AIC Services. She is responsible for the Feed Adviser Register (FAR), the AIC Sustainability Programme and responsible sourcing and the Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) Laboratory Proficiency Testing Programme.

James McCulloch
ENDS
About AIC
As the UK agricultural supply industry's leading trade association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) represents businesses in key sectors within the supply chains that feed the nation.
Its Member businesses supply UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.
Formed in October 2003 by a merger of three trade associations, today AIC has over 230 Members in the agri-supply trade and represents £17.8 billion* turnover at farmgate.
AIC works on behalf of its Members by lobbying policymakers and stakeholders, delivering information, providing trade assurance schemes, and offering technical support.

AIC Services manages a range of services, including Trade Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential means to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security.
These schemes and professional registers include:
- Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
- Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
- Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
- European Seed Treatment Assurance (ESTA)
- Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)
- Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
- Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
- Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
- AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme (APOCS)
*According to a 2023 survey of AIC Members.
Press Contact
Wendy Ford, Communications Manager, AIC
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]