Veterinary antimicrobial monitoring systems in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands: a descriptive comparison to support system development in Brazil

The use of antimicrobial agents in animals contributes to the emergence and spread of bacterial antimicrobial resistance, posing risks to human, animal, and environmental health. Monitoring antimicrobial consumption in food-producing animals is a critical component of antimicrobial stewardship. This study describes the current state of antimicrobial use and resistance monitoring in animals in Brazil and compares it to systems implemented in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands, countries known for having well-established surveillance frameworks. Data were collected between July 2019 and November 2025 from official technical reports on veterinary antimicrobial sales and use, as well as policy documents and legislation. Findings show that the UK and the Netherlands have developed integrated systems based on mandatory data reporting and sector-specific metrics. These systems are supported by coordinated policies and high stakeholder engagement. In contrast, Brazil lacks a national system for monitoring antimicrobial use in animals. Sales data are not publicly available, and there is no standardized mechanism to track antimicrobial consumption on farms. Although policy frameworks exist, enforcement is limited, and access to surveillance data is fragmented. The absence of a centralized, transparent system hinders Brazil’s capacity to evaluate antimicrobial use patterns or inform targeted interventions. Given Brazil’s leading role in global animal protein production, addressing these gaps is essential to advancing national stewardship efforts and contributing to global strategies to contain bacterial antimicrobial resistance.