In March 2026, Law No. 4718-IX came into force in Ukraine, harmonizing veterinary legislation with European Union standards. From now on, antibiotics cannot be used to stimulate animal growth - their use is allowed only for veterinary indications.
This decision changes approaches to livestock farming. If antibiotics were previously often used as a universal tool for prevention, the new rules encourage farmers to pay more attention to feeding, microflora and strengthening the immunity of animals.
The changes are important not only for the industry, but also for consumers. They increase the safety of livestock products and open up opportunities for Ukrainian producers to integrate into the European market with over 450 million consumers.
The global problem of antimicrobial resistance
The restriction of the use of antibiotics in livestock farming is associated with the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) - the ability of microorganisms to become resistant to antibacterial drugs.
According to international research, about 73% of all antimicrobial drugs in the world are used in animal husbandry, and their total volume reaches approximately 76 thousand tons per year. In Ukraine, according to FAO, 64% of farms use antibiotics, most often in dairy farming, pig farming and poultry farming.
Back in 1945, the discoverer of penicillin, Alexander Fleming, warned that the improper use of antibiotics could lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria. Today, this prediction has become a reality.
Resistant microorganisms can spread through the gastrointestinal tract of animals and be transmitted to humans in various ways, including through food chains. That is why the fight against antimicrobial resistance is based on the One Health approach, which considers the health of people, animals and the environment as an interconnected system.
What the new rules mean for farmers
The transition from antibiotics to alternative solutions is not a simple replacement of one drug for another, but a comprehensive change in approaches to animal health management.
Experts recommend paying attention to several key criteria when choosing feed solutions:
Definition of the goal.
It is necessary to clearly understand the expected result - prevention of intestinal disorders, improvement of feed conversion, reduction of mortality or support of immunity.
Composition and mechanism of action.
It is important to determine the type of product - probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics or their combinations - and understand how they affect the microbiota and physiology of animals.
Evidence base.
The results of laboratory and production tests should be evaluated: the effect on weight gain, feed conversion, morbidity and safety of use.
Processability.
It is important to check the stability of additives in the feed production process, compatibility with premixes and vaccination programs.
Farm practice shows that the best results are obtained by a combination of correctly selected feed solutions, systemic biosecurity and balanced feeding. This approach allows you to maintain productivity and at the same time reduce the use of antibiotics without losing economic efficiency.
Biotechnological solutions as an alternative to antibiotics
Traditional growth stimulants are gradually being replaced by biotechnological feed solutions - probiotics, symbiotics and biologically active additives.
The Ukrainian market for such products is only just being formed, but solutions based on the use of yeast components are already appearing. They are developed and offered to the market by Enzym Group - a Ukrainian biotechnology company from Lviv, which creates ingredients based on yeast cells for the food and feed industry.
Such products are considered a natural alternative to the stimulating use of antibiotics. Their approach is based on a holistic understanding of the animal's body as a whole system, where microbiota, metabolism and immunity are interconnected.
Modern feed solutions are increasingly aimed not at eliminating individual problems, but at supporting the microbiological balance and natural resistance of the organism.
The industry on the threshold of a new era
Experts emphasize: doubts about new feed solutions should not become a reason for a return to the massive use of antibiotics “just in case”. The success of modern livestock farming depends on the willingness to implement scientifically based approaches that are already widely used in Europe and the world.
The systematic use of effective feed additives together with proper feeding and biosecurity helps farms maintain animal productivity and at the same time gradually reduce dependence on antibiotics.
These changes can be an important step towards the formation of safer, more modern and economically efficient livestock farming in Ukraine.
