Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 17th November 2025
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

RUMA CA&E sets National AMU Reduction Targets
RUMA CA&E hopes to reduce antimicrobial usage by 30 per cent in companion animals.
These are the first ever antimicrobial usage targets for companion animals.

The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance – Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA CA&E) has for the first time shared national targets for antimicrobial reduction for companion animals.

The National AMU Reduction Targets have been agreed by the RUMA CA&E Targets and Measures Working Group, incorporating feedback from a wide range of stakeholders.

RUMA CA&E targets will see the veterinary industry seek to reduce antimicrobial usage by 30 per cent (DDDVet dog/cat antimicrobial use). They also hope to reduce the use of HP-CIAs in cats by 50 per cent.

These targets will be measured against AMU results gathered in 2024, with specific measures to be announced in after the VARSS report is published. RUMA CA&E hopes to achieve these targets within five years.

To support these targets, RUMA CA&E has suggested 'In Practice Focus Areas'. These areas focus on conditions where evidence is emerging that reducing antimicrobial use may not be effective.

For 2026, the organisation suggests activity is focused on antimicrobial use in cat fight wounds. It is hoped this will lead to reduction in overall usage and the targeted reduction in HP-CIA usage in cats.

It will also focus on antimicrobials used in acute, self-limiting diarrhoea in dogs. This is also targeted towards a reduction in overall usage, as well as ensuring appropriate antibiotics are only used when necessary.

Annual updates on the National AMU Targets will be incorporated into RUMA CA&E's annual progress report. Meanwhile resistance reporting will continue to be led by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

RUMA CA&E is currently developing resources to support practices with these goals, which are due to be released in 2026.

Steve Howard, RUMA CA&E secretary general, said: “The targets have been developed after much consideration and discussion by the RUMA CA&E Targets and Measures Working Group.

“The group has taken into account recent trends in sales data and evidence that has emerged in recent years which suggests that the use of antimicrobials for the treatment of certain conditions in companion animals, is not always necessary or effective.

“The targets have been defined by looking at current baselines of sales data and by considering the opportunities to reduce use in specific conditions.”

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk