PORK Responsible Antibiotic Use Standard

PIPESTONE provides veterinary services to pig farmers all over the world. We recognize the growing global concern over Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and its impact on human and animal health. We share society’s concern of the potential impact of antibiotic use on AMR.

With the health and production tools available today, we can raise pigs with less antibiotics without compromising the health or welfare of the pigs.
PIPESTONE’s commitment to Responsible Antibiotic Use and reduced AMR serves as the framework for our Pipestone Antibiotic Use Standards (PORK).
The PORK Standards will serve as a tool for producers and their veterinarians to define their current “Level” of antibiotic use and develop a plan to further antibiotic stewardship at the farm. Our goal for the PORK Standards is to further demonstrate and communicate responsible antibiotic use, protect the efficacy of antibiotics for human and veterinary medicine, and create a potential value-added opportunity for participating producers.

Criteria: The PORK standards are built on the following priorities:

  1. Veterinary oversight of all antibiotic use.
  2. OWN approach. Antibiotics should be used Only When Necessary.
  3. Focus on reducing the use of antibiotics that are critically important to human medicine as defined by the FDA.
  4. Proper documentation.
  5. Standardized methods for verification, goal tracking, and 3rd party validation.

 

A producer certifies the production of hogs for PORK at one of three levels as set forth below These levels apply to all phases of swine production, including breeding, farrowing, nursery, and grow-finish operations.

Reduced antibiotic use is the result of better health and animal well-being. We encourage you to utilize the services and expertise at Pipestone Veterinary Services to achieve this outcome. Through our surveillance tools and experience, we will develop a farm specific plan that will improve pig health, reduce the need for antibiotics, and result in more profit.

By: Dr. Joel Nerem
Chief Veterinary Officer, Pipestone Veterinary Services
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