Antimicrobials in livestock production, food loss and waste in the agro-food chain

The 2007/08 food price crisis brought the issue of food waste and food losses into sharp focus, as governments and stakeholders reflected on how to reduce food insecurity for a growing population. OECD, in close collaboration with FAO, has reviewed available data, identifying gaps and inconsistencies. Policy approaches to reduce waste have been studied in depth in a number of countries. Market and trade impacts of a significant reduction in food waste have been quantified. OECD has facilitated dialogue with the private sector and consumer groups about how to reduce losses and waste through the Food Chain Analysis Network.

Amid growing concern about the impact of anti-microbial resistance in humans, OECD has undertaken studies of antimicrobial usage in livestock production and its impact on public health and the food economy. An inter-disciplinary approach brings veterinarians and health professionals together with economists and policy makers. Policy issues and knowledge gaps have been identified. The economic impacts of withdrawing growth-promoting use of antimicrobials have been examined. Ongoing work in collaboration with OECD’s Health Committee will seek to better understand links between the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry and the human health dimension of their use.

OECD Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Papers

• The Economic Costs of Withdrawing Antimicrobial Growth Promoters from the Livestock Sector (N°78, 2015)
• Preventing Food Waste: Case Studies of Japan and the United Kingdom (N°76, 2015)
• Market and Trade Impacts of Food Loss and Waste Reduction (N°75, 2015)
• Food Waste Along the Food Chain (N°71, 2014)
• Antimicrobial Resistance: The Use of Antimicrobials in the Livestock Sector(N°68, 2014)
• Food Losses and Food Waste in China: A First Step (N°66, 2014)