June 23, 2025
IVC Evidensia Farm Vets has cut critical antibiotic use by 90%, leading the way in responsible use of antibiotics in agriculture, as part of its wider efforts in antimicrobial stewardship.
Over the past five years, IVC Evidensia has made significant progress in reducing antibiotic usage and reliance on critically important antibiotics being prioritised for human health. Forming part of its strong commitment to responsible antibiotic use in agriculture, the group is paving the way for sustainability in the veterinary sector.
Between 2020 and 2024, IVC Evidensia Farm Vets achieved a 40% reduction in total antibiotic usage. They also saw a 90% drop in the use of the most critical antibiotic categories, specifically 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones.
As of 2024, less than 1% (0.8%) of all antibiotics used by IVC Evidensia Farm Vets fall into the Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HP-CIA) category (Category B).
These results reflect a wider veterinary effort to combat antimicrobial resistance in the UK and protect both animal and human health. IVC Evidensia’s approach is grounded in preventative healthcare, supported by antimicrobial guidelines implemented at clinic-level and informed by consistent, long-term data monitoring. This has enabled a shift toward less-critical antibiotics, such as penicillin, where clinically appropriate.
Antibiotic stewardship is one of the core commitments of IVC Evidensia’s Positive Pawprint sustainability strategy. Throughout the group, IVC Evidensia aims to eliminate all unnecessary use of antibiotics, within the framework of its Antibiotic Stewardship Programme.
Since 2022, the programme has supported a 28% reduction in local and systemic antibiotic treatments and prescriptions in outpatient care, relative to the total annual patient visits. This progress accumulates year-on-year achievements, in which IVC Evidensia’s 2023 report highlighted an antibiotic reduction milestone of 8.6% in the UK.
Antimicrobial stewardship is rooted in protecting animal welfare. As part of its approach, IVC Evidensia focuses on preventative healthcare, wider vaccine uptake, and strong advisory services and education. This evolving service model supports both sustainable farming practices and improved animal health outcomes, while helping to reduce reliance on antibiotics in agriculture.
Paul Horwood, Country Head of Farm, commented:
“The farm team has made incredible progress, not only in reducing overall antibiotic usage, but also in achieving dramatic cuts in the use of critically important antibiotics through preventative health strategies. This is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our vets and farm clients.”
Projects across the IVC Evidensia Farm Vet network continue to focus on responsible prescribing and practical, farm-based solutions. Every treatment decision is guided by efficiency, long-term sustainability, and evidence-based antimicrobial guidelines.
IVC Evidensia is proud to share these results as an example of what can be achieved through collaboration, robust data, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Paul Horwood added: “Whilst there’s still work to do, these figures demonstrate how farm veterinary practices can lead the way in responsible antibiotic use while supporting successful farm businesses.”
To discover more about IVC Evidensia's antimicrobial stewardship, read the latest Positive Pawprint report.