A holistic business perspective on antibiotics and the meat production ecosystem: Follow the Pig

The use of antibiotics in pig production has been scrutinized by medical researchers for years but still the level of antibiotics in pigs differs widely across countries. Understanding why these differences remain, with consequences for antibiotic resistance and human health, requires a new insight into the system, practice and stakeholder levels. Applying a holistic business perspective, this project will explore how sustainability and economic goals can be balanced in future pig production? The three workshops proposed here aim to give insight into this complex challenge. Each of the three workshops will develop the ground for the next and bring together researchers, industry experts and representatives from governmental bodies. Workshop activities will be a mixture of keynote speakers, research presentations, group discussions, field excursions and industry expert panel discussions.

1. The ecosystem of pig production, 2019 Q1 (Uppsala University, Sweden)
2. The practices of pig production, 2019 Q4 (BI, Norway)
3. Different stakeholder interests in pig production, 2020 Q3 (SDU, Denmark)

We expect to find multiple clashing points between actors interests and the practices followed in each country, which will underpin the explanations of differences in the use of antibiotics in pig production in the Nordic region. We also expect to identify the challenges and potentials of alternative routes for future pig production and open for new cross-country learning.