EU ANTIBIOTIC RULES SET TO TIGHTEN DAIRY RECORD KEEPING

Australian dairy farms will face tighter requirements around antimicrobial use from September 2026, under new European Union import rules aimed at restricting antibiotic use in food production systems.

While therapeutic use will remain allowed, antibiotics and certain feed additives can no longer be used for growth promotion or production enhancement.

Products affected include monensin, lasalocid and salinomycin.

Australia exported around $29 million worth of dairy products to Europe in 2025, mainly high-protein whey, making compliance commercially important.

Moving ahead farmers are being advised to review antimicrobial use, ensure products are only used for disease control or prevention, and clearly record each application under veterinary guidance.