Antibiotics sale in upward trend

Continuing a trend observed the past two years, the volume of antibiotics
sold to treat, prevent and control disease in animals rose in 2006, while the
percentage sold to promote growth dropped.

Total production for use in
animals rose 8.2%, according to data provided by the research-based companies
that produce animal medicines.

One factor that may have contributed to
the increase was a 900,000 tonnes increase in US meat production.

Again
this year, two classes of compounds, ionophores and tetracyclines, accounted for
most of the increase.

Last year 11,975 tonnes of antibiotics were sold
for use in farm and companion animals, an increase from 11,067 tonnes pounds
sold in 2005. The small percentage of overall production used to enhance growth
dropped slightly to 4.6%, down from 4.7% the previous year.

The
antibiotic data were collected from a survey of members of the Animal Health
Institute (AHI), consisting of companies that make medicines for pets
and farm animals.