Mark White, President of the Pig Vet Society, said: "eMB Pigs is straightforward to use but AHDB are still offering excellent telephone and email support for those who need it. The system will soon have a benchmarking facility so producers can compare with industry averages as well as visualising their own individual usage."

In November it becomes compulsory for producers to submit their quarterly total antibiotic usage onto the industry’s electronic Medicines Book (eMB).

To remain compliant, usage for quarters two (April - June) and three (July - September) of 2017 must be entered by 11 November 2017. AHDB has been supporting the industry using eMB since its launch in May 2016 and advise that, while help is still available, it could be restricted if large volumes of enquires come in close to the Red Tractor deadline.

Kate Ward, AHDB Pork’s Veterinary Manager, said: "We are here to help, but are urging vets and producers to submit data as early as possible, to ensure everyone is happy and familiar with the process before Red Tractor’s 11 November deadline."

Red Tractor assessors will need to view the data during inspection visits, so where vets are entering the figures on their client’s behalf, they are reminded to ensure printed copies are left with the farmer.

In addition to the introduction on eMB is the requirement for Pig Vets to sign a quarterly declaration to confirm they are prescribing in accordance with the PVS Prescribing Principles for Antimicrobials. Use of antibiotics classified as Class 3 (products of last resort, namely Colistin, third and fourth generation Cephalosporins and Fluoroquinolones) must be justified in the veterinary health plan.

Capturing antibiotic use electronically in this way allows producers to demonstrate the actions our industry is taking to preserve antibiotics for use in both animal and human medicine.

For helpful resources including videos and a printable user guide, please click here.