Responsible use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine accomplished through long-term work

Finland was one of the first European countries to start monitoring the sales of veterinary antibiotics 30 years ago. Monitoring the sales of animal antibiotics is now a statutory obligation for all EU Member States.

Finland is a pioneer in the EU in steering of the use of veterinary antibiotics. The use of veterinary medications has been steered in Finland with legislation since the 1940s. The first recommendations on the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals were issued in 1996, and they were ahead of their time internationally. 

“A great deal of excellent work has been carried out in Finland over the decades to promote animal health and welfare,” says Veterinarian Katariina Kivilahti-Mäntylä from Fimea. 

“According to issued recommendations, when other treatments that have been proven to be equally effective with antibiotic treatment are available, they should be used as far as possible,” Kivilahti-Mäntylä continues.

Vaccines that prevent Lawsonia infections in pigs are a good example. These vaccines have been in use in Finland since 2014. As the use of vaccinations became more common, the sales of macrolide antibiotics for the treatment of infections in pigs decreased significantly. In proportion to the pig population, the sales of oral macrolides decreased by up to three quarters between 2015 and 2022 (-76%).

Finland among the first to monitor sales of veterinary antibiotics 

Finland was also one of the first European countries to start monitoring the sales of veterinary antibiotics 30 years ago. The first sales data were published in the Finres 1999 report (1995-1999). It was not until 2010 that sales data could be compared with that of other European countries: Finland was one of the countries where the consumption of antibiotics for food-producing animals was the lowest and sales were controlled and moderate by international standards. 

Sales statistics made visible the impact work carried out over decades to promote animal health and welfare had on the consumption of antibiotics in food-producing animals. In addition, statistics showed that the production of animal-based foods was possible without preventive mass medication with antibiotics.*) On the contrary, the majority of veterinary antibiotics sold in Finland are intended for individual animals. 

Monitoring the sales of animal antibiotics is now a statutory obligation for all EU Member States.

Rational use of antibiotics helps reduce antibiotic resistance

Bacteria resistant to antimicrobial medicines are increasing and pose a global health threat to people, animals, and the environment. National and international guidance on the use of veterinary medicines restricts the use of antibiotics that are of critical importance in human treatment. 

“For example, third-generation cephalosporins should only be used as a last resort as veterinary medicines. The aim is to minimise their sales,” says Veterinarian Tita-Maria Muhonen from Fimea. 

The first third-generation cephalosporins were granted marketing authorisation in Finland in 2006, and their consumption in animals first increased. As a result of targeted guidance to users of these medicines groups by the Finnish Food Authority, the consumption of cephalosporins in animals decreased by 96% between 2012 and 2017 and is currently extremely low. 

Responsible use of antibiotics in animals also supports human and environmental health

The responsible use of antibiotics in animals is part of a broader whole the impacts of which extend to human, animal, and environmental health. The situation regarding antimicrobial resistance in Finland is good compared to that of many other European countries, but the prevalence of multi-resistant bacteria is increasing. The control of antibiotic resistance requires multidisciplinary cooperation (One Health perspective). 

Finland is taking part in the EU-JAMRAI-2 (Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections) project funded by the European Commission. The project includes the planning and implementation of measures to curb antimicrobial resistance and to improve the availability of narrow-spectrum antibiotics and animal vaccines. 

Eläinten mikrobilääkkeiden kulutuksen seuranta tuottaa tulosta (Sic! article 28 December 2023, in Finnish)  

Antibioottien käyttö eläimille maltillista Suomessa (Sic! article 27 May 2022, in Finnish)  

Finnish Food Authority news item 18 November 2025 (in Finnish)  

FINRES-Vet reports (Finnish Food Authority) 

The EU’s Jamrai2 Project’s website 

*) updated 19.11.2025 at 10.35 o'clock.