The European Union Summary Report on Antimicrobial Resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2023–2024

Abstract This report presents the main findings of the 2023–2024 harmonised antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring in Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from humans, food‐producing animals (broilers, laying hens, fattening turkeys, fattening pigs and bovines under 1 year of age), and derived meat. For animals and meat, AMR was also assessed for indicator commensal Escherichia coli, presumptive extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL)‐/AmpC beta‐lactamase (AmpC)−/carbapenemase (CP)‐producing E. coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and the occurrence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A high proportion of Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates from humans and animals were resistant to commonly used antimicrobials (ampicillin, tetracycline and sulfonamides), although Salmonella isolates from laying hens exhibited lower resistance. Increasing trends in ciprofloxacin resistance, a critically important antimicrobial (CIA) for human medicine, were detected in Salmonella from laying hens in certain Member States (MSs), and in human infections for a poultry‐associated Salmonella serovar and for C. jejuni in more than half of the reporting countries. Combined resistance to CIA remained uncommon, but higher levels were observed for certain Salmonella serovars and C. coli from humans and animals in some countries. Resistance differed greatly between countries. In imported fresh meat of broilers and turkeys, very high and moderate levels of resistance to third‐generation cephalosporins were observed in Salmonella and indicator E. coli, respectively. Although CP‐producing Salmonella were not detected in animals, six human cases were reported in 2023 and five in 2024, predominantly carrying blaOXA‐48, but also blaOXA‐181, blaNDM‐1 and blaIMP‐1. CP‐producing E. coli isolates harbouring diverse carbapenemase genes, were detected in broilers, turkeys, pigs, calves and pig meat in eight MSs, warranting a thorough follow‐up. Trend analyses of Key Outcome Indicators (complete susceptibility (KOICS) and prevalence of ESBL‐/AmpC‐ producing E. coli) indicate encouraging progress in reducing AMR in food‐producing animals in several MSs over the past decade. At the EU level and in certain MSs, some previously declining resistance or increasing susceptibility trends in indicator E. coli from broilers and turkeys, and KOICS, have stabilised and plateaued, highlighting the need for sustained and strengthened AMR control efforts.