Attitudes of farmers and vets towards using antibiotics are being researched by Queen’s University Belfast.
The Farmers’ and Vets project, funded by Safefood, will help the industry improve the use of antibiotics on farms.
Queen’s University Belfast research fellow, Claire McKernan explained that it was important working farmers’ views are heard New animal health legislation is set to be introduced in 2022 will require a shift in how antibiotics are used in agriculture.
“We are hoping that eventually this data could be used to develop interventions that could support farmers better in changes to their practice,” she added.
“We want to find out what farmers know about antibiotics and why they use them. As well as how would they feel about different potential scenarios.”
The researchers will be working alongside Teagasc and University College Dublin who worked on the first part of the project.
A €20 gift voucher will be offered to the first 50 farmers from each of the four sectors in each jurisdiction who take part.
All responses will be confidential and those interested are encouraged to respond by 15 May.
LSL News.