Buy Red Tractor to support responsible antibiotic use - CMO

The Government's Chief Medical Officer has issued a ringing endorsement of the UK farming sector's approach to antibiotic use. 

Dame Sally Davies has advised consumers to buy Red Tractor and organic products if they want to support responsible antibiotic use. 

Speaking at the World Innovation Summit on Health in Qatar, she said: "Like many people, I am eating less meat and, yes, I do try to make sure it is at least Red Tractor.

"I want animals that have been reared with good welfare standards and, actually, that means very low antibiotic use. If people buy Red Tractor or organic they can be confident (of low antibiotic use).”

Her comments follow the publication by RUMA of a report highlighting progress in reducing antibiotic use across the livestock sectors. 

On the back of a halving of antibiotic use over the past two years, the report said the pig sector was 'on track' to reach its antibiotic targets by 2020.