NPR - SOCIETY DEBATE AND MEDICINE USE – AS CASE DAIRY HUSBANDRY IN THE NETHERLANDS

Abstract:

Medicine use in animals and in particular antibiotic use is under criticism of the society. Therefore, antibiotic use in dairy herds in The Netherlands in the period 2005-2012 was studied. The number of daily dosages per cow per year was applied as the indicator for antibiotic use. A large variation in use at herd level was found, which decreased over time. The effect of public pressure on the reduction in antibiotic use is explained by examining the differences in trends between three groups of farmers. One group was guided in their antibiotic use, one group was very diverse, and one group consisted of participants of a long term nutrient management project. The adaptation process was compared with the diffusion of innovation theory of Rogers.