The Dutch pig-farming sector has made great progress over the last fifteen years, with antibiotic use down by 68% since 2009. Even so, the latest report from the Netherlands Veterinary Medicines Institute (SDa) indicates that this progress has stagnated recently. The KDV figures tell a different story. The 2024 figures show that farms in the KDV value chain consistently score below the national average, proving that further reduction in antibiotic use really is possible.  

MAJOR PROGRESS, BUT REDUCTION HAS STALLED

The reduction in antibiotic use since 2009 has been one of the Dutch pig farming sector’s major achievements. However, the Netherlands Veterinary Medicines Institute (SDa) report shows that it cannot be taken for granted that this trend will continue. Antibiotic use has actually been creeping upwards again in recent years, particularly in weaned piglets. Not only is the average rising, but use is becoming more unevenly distributed across farms. Antibiotic use on some farms is high or even extremely high, often over several consecutive years. These farms have a significant impact on the national average. In 2024, 78 farms recorded antibiotic use above 50 DDD (Animal Daily Dosage) in weaned piglets. When these farms are removed from the figures, the national average falls from 16.1 DDD to 9.1 DDD.  

DIFFERENT PICTURE WITHIN KDV

The figures from KDV pig farms, however, show that such high use is not necessary. Across all three production categories, the averages are significantly below the national level. The gap is widest in weaned piglets. While weaned piglets are considered a cause for concern at the national level, all 83 KDV farms remain below the threshold of 16 DDD. Not a single farm in the KDV chain could be regarded as a high user. In fact, almost half of KDV farms are even below 2 DDD.  

Table: Animal Daily Dosage (DDD) 2024 of

BROAD GROUP OF FARMS HAS LOW SCORES

Antibiotic use also remains low across other production categories. Among sow farms, 39% (31 out of 80) fall into the 0 – 1 DDD band. The figure for meat pig farms is 60% (85 out of 141). Rather than representing a few outliers, these figures show that a broad group of farms is achieving consistently low antibiotic use.  

INVESTING IN ANIMAL HEALTH

These results have not come about by chance. KDV has been actively working on prevention and animal health for many years. Farmers are supported through one-to-one advice from farm coaches, regular feedback on farm performance and practical tools, such as Ceva lung scoring. KDV also has additional requirements within the chain that contribute to better animal health. For example, piglets are weaned no earlier than four weeks old, which makes them more robust and resistant to disease. At a time when the national reduction in antibiotic use is stalling, KDV’s results demonstrate that investing in prevention pays off. A broad group of KDV farms have shown that consistently low antibiotic use can be achieved.