The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) produced a report which called for greater vigilance over the way antibiotics are used on farms and also noted that vaccination and high biosecurity are key to reducing use.

Improving veterinary oversight of antibiotic use is another aim to prevent misuse of the drugs and
the spread of antimicrobials from animal waste is an important concern that must be addressed.

On the business side, Aviva Investors, the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics and the FAIRR (Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return) Initiative published a briefing highlighting the risks to global investors from the systematic overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming.

In market news, French company Ceva Santé Animale's acquisition of nine products developed and currently marketed by Merial from Boehringer Ingelheim has been approved by the European Commission.

The acquisition will allow Ceva to reinforce its growing presence in swine vaccines and develop its range of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products.

In disease news, Cambodia has reported an outbreak of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) on a backyard pig farm.

And African Swine Fever (ASF) has been reported on Russian and Ukrainian pig farms. In both countries, commercial farms were effected.