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A particularly large number of antibiotics are used in poultry fattening (symbol image)
Photo: Jens Büttner / picture alliance / dpa
The use of antibiotics in animals is not restricted any further. An application by the Greens MP Martin Häusling, which included stricter rules for the treatment of animals with antibiotics, failed before the European Parliament. Häusling, together with the EU Parliament's Environment Committee, demanded that certain groups of antibiotics should primarily be reserved for humans. Accordingly, they should only have been administered to individual animals in exceptional cases.
This is primarily about so-called reserve antibiotics, which are used in medicine against resistant bacteria - when conventional antibiotics no longer work.
Antibiotics are sometimes used on a massive scale in farms where animals are fattened.
Appropriate medication is given to chickens and turkeys in particular.
According to experts, this commitment leads to bacteria developing multi-resistance, which means that in the end it can no longer be treated with antibiotics.
These infections are then particularly dangerous for humans.
The Robert Koch Institute describes antibiotic resistance as "one of the greatest challenges for global health".
Veterinarians criticized the ban plans
Criticism of the application came from the ranks of the veterinarians, among others: the proper treatment of the sick animals is at risk if the application is successful.
The Association of Practicing Veterinarians launched a signature campaign against the project, which was also signed by numerous private animal owners.
The request of the Green MP related to plans of the EU Commission, which are to define the distribution of medication.
There is no specific list of substances that can no longer be given to animals.
Instead, the funds should only be used if an animal is threatened with serious illness or death, or if the administration of medication is necessary.
Critics complain that this formulation offers too much leeway for interpretation.
jlk / dpa