Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship — CDFA efforts continue to moderate antibiotics in animal care

CDFA's Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program, created by legislation in 2017, provides leadership in animal health circles for innovative approaches to antibiotic resistance and responsible use of medications.

The program looks closely at antibiotic sales, surveys producers about on-farm practices, and analyzes veterinary feed directives. These activities improve the understanding of the use of antibiotic drugs in livestock and guide the development of relevant materials to promote stewardship and
judicious use.

In 2023, the program collected and reviewed 631 veterinary feed directives, and that is part of a body of work that includes engagement of 112 different farms for outreach purposes, as well as 391 inspections of retailers for compliance with California laws and regulations for antibiotic sales and use.

The program is also active on the research side, with animal management strategies including an aquaculture study on dietary models for white sturgeon to help with disease management and stewardship efforts.

You can read more about the Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program in its annual report.