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Posted: 17th November 2025

RUMA CA&E sets National AMU Reduction Targets
RUMA CA&E hopes to reduce antimicrobial usage by 30 per cent in companion animals.
These are the first ever antimicrobial usage targets for companion animals.

The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance – Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA CA&E) has for the first time shared national targets for antimicrobial reduction for companion animals.

The National AMU Reduction Targets have been agreed by the RUMA CA&E Targets and Measures Working Group, incorporating feedback from a wide range of stakeholders.

RUMA CA&E targets will see the veterinary industry seek to reduce antimicrobial usage by 30 per cent (DDDVet dog/cat antimicrobial use). They also hope to reduce the use of HP-CIAs in cats by 50 per cent.

These targets will be measured against AMU results gathered in 2024, with specific measures to be announced in after the VARSS report is published. RUMA CA&E hopes to achieve these targets within five years.

To support these targets, RUMA CA&E has suggested 'In Practice Focus Areas'. These areas focus on conditions where evidence is emerging that reducing antimicrobial use may not be effective.

For 2026, the organisation suggests activity is focused on antimicrobial use in cat fight wounds. It is hoped this will lead to reduction in overall usage and the targeted reduction in HP-CIA usage in cats.

It will also focus on antimicrobials used in acute, self-limiting diarrhoea in dogs. This is also targeted towards a reduction in overall usage, as well as ensuring appropriate antibiotics are only used when necessary.

Annual updates on the National AMU Targets will be incorporated into RUMA CA&E's annual progress report. Meanwhile resistance reporting will continue to be led by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

RUMA CA&E is currently developing resources to support practices with these goals, which are due to be released in 2026.

Steve Howard, RUMA CA&E secretary general, said: “The targets have been developed after much consideration and discussion by the RUMA CA&E Targets and Measures Working Group.

“The group has taken into account recent trends in sales data and evidence that has emerged in recent years which suggests that the use of antimicrobials for the treatment of certain conditions in companion animals, is not always necessary or effective.

“The targets have been defined by looking at current baselines of sales data and by considering the opportunities to reduce use in specific conditions.”

Image © Shutterstock



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