IDF releases updated Global Guide to Prudent Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Dairy Production

Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent global and human health challenge and, if left unaddressed, has the risk of growing out of control. The fluid nature of the microbial genome means that activities in either the medical, veterinary, or environmental sectors are likely to have impacts on each of the others. In this context, the livestock sector is adopting a more targeted antimicrobial use, with the dairy sector leading the efforts.

The International Dairy Federation’s (IDF) 2025 edition of its publication, the IDF Guide to Prudent Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Dairy Production 2.0, reinforces it’s the importance of combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and advancing sustainable dairy practices worldwide. Published as Bulletin of the IDF No. 536/2025, the updated guide offers a comprehensive framework for responsible antimicrobial use across the dairy value chain from farm to processor to regulator. It reflects the latest scientific insights and global policy developments, including alignment with the 2024 UN Political Declaration on AMR and the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

The guide is freely available to the public and can be downloaded here.