Pollution by Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance in LiveStock and Poultry Manure in China, and Countermeasures

Abstract

The demand for animal protein has increased considerably worldwide, especially in China, where large numbers of livestock and poultry are produced. Antibiotics have been widely applied to promote growth and prevent diseases. However, the overuse of antibiotics in animal feed has caused serious environmental and health risks, especially the wide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which seriously affects animal and human health, food safety, ecosystems, and the sustainable future development of animal protein production. Unfortunately, AMR has already become a worldwide challenge, so international cooperation is becoming more important for combatting it. China's efforts and determination to restrict antibiotic usage through law enforcement and effective management are of significance. In this review, we address the pollution problems of antibiotics; in particular, the AMR in water, soil, and plants caused by livestock and poultry manure in China. The negative impact of widespread and intensive use of antibiotics in livestock production is discussed. To reduce and mitigate AMR problems, we emphasize in this review the development of antibiotic substitutes for the era of antibiotic prohibition.

Keywords: China; antibiotics; antimicrobial resistance (AMR); bacteria; human and animal health; livestock and poultry manure.

Figure 1

Veterinary antibiotics are widely used in the livestock and poultry production industry to accelerate the growth of livestock and poultry and treat diseases. This has led to the extensive spread of AMR and ARGs from animals to people, other animals, plants, the ecosystem, and the environment (soil and water pollution), as illustrated in this schematic figure.