New York State dairy farmers' perceptions of antibiotic use and resistance: A qualitative interview study.

Michelle Wemette,Michelle Wemette,Francis L Welcome,Francis L Welcome,Wendy Beauvais,Wendy Beauvais,Renata Ivanek,Renata Ivanek,Kristina Ceres,Kristina Ceres,Amelia Greiner Safi,Amelia Greiner Safi,Amelia Greiner Safi,Paolo Moroni,Paolo Moroni,Michael Shapiro,Michael Shapiro,Timothy J Johnson

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0232937

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is a global problem affecting both human and animal health. Ensuring the strategic and effective use of antibiotics is paramount to combatting the emergence and spread of resistance. This study explored New York State (NYS) dairy farmers’ perceptions regarding antibiotic use in dairy farming and antibiotic resistance. Dairy farmers’ perceptions were assessed through semi-structured, in-person interviews. Twenty interviews with farm owners and/or managers of 15 conventional and five USDA certified organic dairy farms with 40 to 2,300 lactating cows were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to assess, compare and contrast transcripts for farmers’ characterization of their beliefs, values, and concerns. Conventional dairy farmers had a low level of concern about the possible impacts of on-farm antibiotic resistance on human health and believed their antibiotic use was already judicious. Generally, they believed their cattle’s health would suffer if antibiotic use were further curtailed. Conventional farmers expressed frustration over the possibility of more stringent governmental, milk cooperative, buyer, or marketer requirements for antibiotic use and associated animal welfare in the future. They attributed expanding regulations in part to misinformed consumer preferences, that farmers felt were influenced by the marketing of organic dairy products. Organic dairy farmers were generally more concerned about issues related to antibiotic resistance than conventional farmers. Both conventional and organic farmers placed emphasis on disease prevention through herd health management rather than treatment. In conclusion, the conventional NYS dairy farmers in this study were skeptical of the need for and benefits of reduced antibiotic use on their dairy farms. Interventions for farmers, delivered by a trusted source such as a veterinarian, that provide training about proper antibiotic use practices and information of possible financial benefits of refining antibiotic use may hold promise.

Highlights

Efforts exist to encourage antibiotic stewardship in animal agriculture due to concerns that overuse and misuse of antibiotics contribute to the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, including those important for treating human disease
Antibiotic use in food animals may promote the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted to humans through foodborne pathways such as contaminated animal products which are inappropriately cooked or handled [1] [2]
In addition to foodborne transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, research suggests that certain resistant bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), can be transmitted through direct contact with food animals [4] [5] [6].concern exists about contamination of the environment with effluent and manure from food animals on farms which people can come into contact with in the environment [7]

Summary

Introduction

Efforts exist to encourage antibiotic stewardship in animal agriculture due to concerns that overuse and misuse of antibiotics contribute to the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, including those important for treating human disease. Antibiotic use in food animals may promote the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted to humans through foodborne pathways such as contaminated animal products which are inappropriately cooked or handled [1] [2]. In addition to foodborne transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, research suggests that certain resistant bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), can be transmitted through direct contact with food animals [4] [5] [6].concern exists about contamination of the environment (soil and water) with effluent and manure from food animals on farms which people can come into contact with in the environment [7]. Despite the important role farmers occupy in efforts to reduce antibiotic use in animal agriculture, little understanding exists regarding farm owners’/managers’, dairy farmers’, perceptions of their antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance, especially in light of recent regulations (elaborated further below)

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Conclusion