Agribusiness expert Samson Phiri has warned that the abuse of antimicrobials in broiler and layer production is likely to accelerate antimicrobial resistance, a growing global public health concern. “Antimicrobial use is very widespread in Zambia’s poultry sector, especially among broiler farmers operating under intensive production systems,” Phiri said. “Studies using the VetCAb-ID monitoring system show that about 86 percent of layer poultry production involves antimicrobial use, while broiler farmers record an average monthly utilization rate of 48.3 percent,” said Phiri in an interview with the Zambian Business Times. He added that the overusage is being driven by disease prevention, rapid...
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