Farming Today focuses on antibiotic use on pig farms

Gloucestershire pig producer Sophie Hope and vet Richard Pearson did an excellent job talking about antibiotic use on the BBC over the weekend. 

Sophie (pictured), who is a member of the NPA Producer Group, and Richard, from the George Vet Group, featured in an extended interview on the subject on BBC’s Farming Today programme on Saturday. 

Sophie explained how the unit has significantly reduced antibiotic use over the past few years, but stressed that animal health and welfare remains a priority. "If we feel that any pig's health or welfare is compromised, we would not hesitate to put antibiotics in to help tackle that disease outbreak as a first step basis, whilst looking at alternatives means to then withdraw those antibiotics and improve the general health and welfare on the farm," she told presenter Anna Jones. 

You can listen to the programme here

NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: "Thank you to Sophie and Richard for doing such a fantastic job in getting across some really important messages on a public platform.  

"They managed to explain not only the industry's determination to reduce antibiotic use and the reasons for doing so, but also the practical realities of managing difficult pig diseases and the need to prioritise pig health and welfare at all times."