At work with Delaware Veterinary Group, an IVC Evidensia farm practice
IVC Evidensia Champions Responsible Antibiotic Use In Agriculture
4 weeks ago 
237 views
- With 90% reduction in critically important antibiotics -
IVC Evidensia has reaffirmed its strong commitment to responsible antibiotic use in agriculture, revealing significant progress over the past five years in reducing both overall antibiotic usage and less reliance on critically important antibiotics being prioritised for human health.
Between 2020 and 2024, IVC Evidensia Farm Vets achieved a 40% reduction in total antibiotic usage, alongside a 90% drop in the use of the most critical antibiotic categories, specifically 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones.
As of 2024, less than 1% (0.8%) of all antibiotics used by IVC Evidensia Farm Vets fall into the Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HP-CIA) category (Category B).
These results form part of a broader profession-wide effort to tackle antimicrobial resistance and safeguard both animal and human health. IVC Evidensia’s progress is underpinned by consistent, long-term data monitoring and a clear shift towards using less critical antibiotics, such as penicillin, wherever appropriate.
Antibiotic stewardship is one of the core commitments of IVC Evidensia’s Positive Pawprint sustainability strategy. As a group, they aim to eliminate all unnecessary use of antibiotics, within the framework of its Antibiotic Stewardship Programme. Since 2022, the programme has supported a 28% reduction in local and systemic antibiotic treatments and prescriptions in outpatient care as a percentage of the total number of patient visits yearly.
The reduction in antibiotic usage has animal welfare at its heart. Driven by a proactive move towards preventative health strategies, increased vaccine uptake, and a stronger emphasis on advisory services and education, this evolution in service model supports both sustainable farming practices and improved animal health outcomes.
Paul Horwood, Country Head of Farm at IVC Evidensia commented: “The farm team has made incredible progress, not only in reducing overall antibiotic usage, but also in achieving dramatic cuts in the use of critically important antibiotics through preventative health strategies. This is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our vets and farm clients.”
Projects across the IVC Evidensia Farm Vet network continue to focus on responsible prescribing and practical farm-based solutions, ensuring that every treatment decision prioritises both efficiency and long-term sustainability.
IVC Evidensia is keen to present these results as evidence of what can be achieved through collaboration, robust data, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Paul Horwood added: “Whilst there’s still work to do, these figures demonstrate how farm veterinary practices can lead the way in responsible antibiotic use while supporting successful farm businesses.”
For more information about IVC Evidensia's sustainability commitments, visit https://ivcevidensia.com/how-we-work/sustainability/ to view the Positive Pawprint report.
More from IVC Evidensia UK & IE
- Veterinary stars shine at IVC Evidensia’s Brilliant People Awards 2025
- Norfolk vet practice completes £1.5m expansion and doubles in size
- Hampshire referral hospital is first in UK to offer complex intrahepatic shunts treatment for dogs
- New training centres set to revolutionise veterinary training and development
- IVC Evidensia Farm Vets roll out cow signals training across UK practices
2 hours ago