Antibiotics in agriculture – application, threats and legal regulations
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Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Instytut Uprawy Nawożenia i Gleboznawstwa – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy w Puławach
Abstract
Description
The discovery of the first antibiotic has become one
of the most important medical advances. Since this time, a period
of intensive research into antimicrobial substances has begun,
which are also used in veterinary medicine and agricultural
production. In animal production, antibiotics have therapeutic,
as well as prophylactic and metaphylactic applications aimed
at preventing bacterial diseases. They were also used as growth
stimulants, which positively influenced, among others, for weight
gain and more efficient use of feed. This form of antibiotic use
in animal production was legally banned in 2006 in all European
Union countries. In the cultivation of plants, antibiotics are also
used to combat plant pathogens. The use of antibiotic agents has
many consequences, both positive and negative. The most important
risk of antibiotics overusing is the spread of antibiotic resistant
bacteria. Another effect is environmental pollution and the
contamination of agricultural products. Due to these factors, the
use of antibiotics in agriculture is regulated by appropriate legal
regulations.
Keywords
antibiotics, animal farming, antibiotic resistance, environment
pollution
Citation
Polish Journal of Agronomy
2021, 47, 10-21