A Queen’s University Belfast based research project is set to examine farmer and vet attitudes towards the use of antibiotics on the island.
The study forms part of a larger cross-border project to help the industry review and improve antibiotic use on farms.
Claire McKernan, a research fellow working at Queen’s University Belfast, will lead the Safefood-funded project entitled ‘Farmers’ and vets’ attitudes and behaviours around antibiotic use on the Island of Ireland’.
McKernan explained it was important working farmers’ views are heard as new animal health legislation set to be introduced in 2022 will require a shift in how antibiotics are used in agriculture.
“There is a lot of consumer pressure on this issue, but it’s about making small, incremental changes in the right direction so farmers feel supported and in control of the process,” she said.
“We are hoping that eventually this data could be used to develop interventions that could support farmers better in changes to their practice.”
Establishing a baseline for antibiotics
The first part of the project was led by University College Dublin and collated data on the volume of antibiotics currently used and for what reasons to establish a baseline for each sector.
The next part of the study, which will be led by QUB, will examine farmer attitudes and behaviours.
The final stage will then work with key stakeholders, like farmers and vets, to establish recommendations for farm practice.
“Before this project, very little had been done in terms of establishing a baseline understanding of where farmers are locally in terms of antibiotics use,” McKernan said.
“We want to find out what farmers know about antibiotics and why they use them. As well as how would they feel about different potential scenarios.
“We will be working alongside Teagasc and UCD, with vets and psychologists to try to understand behaviours and attitudes – what their motives are and what would help them.
“We want to get a good spread across different sectors – so we are looking for dairy, beef, pig and sheep farmers to respond. We want farmers from all walks of life and parts of the island to take part. All responses will be confidential.”
A £15/€20 gift voucher will be offered to the first 50 farmers from each of the four sectors in each jurisdiction who take part.
Those interested in sharing their views are encouraged to respond by May 15. The survey can be found here.