New strain of MRSA identified in cows
A report by Dr Mark Holmes, Cambridge University, has been published which details findings of a new strain of MRSA in British cows. The discovery came about whilst research was carried out on a bacterium known to cause mastitis in cows.
The report does confirm that pasteurisation kills the 'superbug' but does state that it is "certainly worrying" for those working with cows on diary farms.
Environmental campaigners say that the new strain has emerged due to over-use of antibiotics by diary farmers. Dr Holmes has said that this could be a "credible hypothesis".
NFU chief dairy adviser Rob Newberry said:
"Consumers should be aware that pasteurised milk is completely safe; a fact backed up by the author of the report. They should continue to buy British milk with complete confidence as it is produced by highly trained dairy farmers and stockmen who take their role as food producers very seriously.
“Our farmers maintain excellent levels of hygiene through farm assurance standards, principally the Red Tractor, which sets rules for food production from farm through to pack. On top of food safety, the health and safety of workers and cattle are taken extremely seriously, through standards that demand suitable clean protective clothing and high levels of staff personal cleanliness before, during and after milking.
“It is important to remember that the health and welfare of cows are of paramount importance to the British dairy farmer – after all, a healthy cow is a happy and productive cow.”
“The NFU is a founding member of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) Alliance and fully endorses, on our members’ behalf, the principle of appropriate use of veterinary medicines, including antibiotics. These are administered as little as possible but as much as necessary to protect the health and welfare of the animal.
“Any antibiotic or veterinary medicine being administered to a food producing animal has strict conditions of use, including appropriate milk and meat withdrawal times and in general, under European Law, would only be available under prescription.”
Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
