European Union : Feeding milk containing residues of antimicrobials to calves

Dairy calves fed milk from cows treated with antimicrobials have a higher probability of excreting resistant bacteria through their faeces than those who aren't.

This is one of the conclusions of an EFSA scientific opinion on the risk of antimicrobial resistance associated with feeding milk containing antimicrobial residues to calves. Such milk cannot be used for human consumption, but can be used to feed calves.

Use of antimicrobials in dairy cows to prevent and treat udder infections is a common practice in the European Union.