Feeding milk containing residues of antimicrobials to calves
Dairy calves fed milk from cows treated with antimicrobials have a higher probability The likelihood that a particular event will occur or that a measured value will fall within a particular range of excreting resistant bacteria through their faeces than those who aren’t.
This is one of the conclusions of an EFSA scientific opinion Opinions include risk assessments on general scientific issues, evaluations of an application for the authorisation of a product, substance or claim, or an evaluation of a risk assessment on the risk of antimicrobial resistance The ability of microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi) to survive exposure to antimicrobials. This phenomenon, driven largely by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents (e.g. antibiotics, fungicides used as plant protection agents, etc), makes infections harder to treat and poses a significant threat to public health. associated with feeding milk containing antimicrobial substance, such as an antibiotic, used to kill microorganisms or to stop them from growing and multiplying residues to calves. Such milk cannot be used for human consumption, but can be used to feed calves.
Use of antimicrobials in dairy cows to prevent and treat udder infections is a common practice in the European Union.