Reducing antimicrobial use in farm animals: how to support behavioral change of veterinarians and farmers

Abstract

Prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock requires the adoption of management and treatment practices which replace or reduce the need for antimicrobials by veterinarians and farmer. The adoption of these new practices equals behavior changes of these actors. Changing human behavior can be very difficult, especially when the behaviors of interest are routine behaviors. The use of social sciences can be of great value in understanding why veterinarians and farmers act in certain ways and how they can be motivated to change antimicrobial use practices.