All antibiotics added to animal feed for fattening purposes have been banned in Cyprus as of Jan. 1 with the implementation of a law that has taken effect in all 25 member states of the European Union, local media reported on Thursday.

The ban, which is the culmination of a large phase-out process, is part of the European Commission's efforts to respond to the emergence of bacteria and other microbes resistant to antibiotics that are used to treat human and animal infections.

The Commission claims that the resistant strains have emerged because antibiotics have been overused and exploited.

The EU has already banned antibiotics used in human medicine as animal feed supplements.

Before Jan. 1, four antibiotics were still permitted as feed additives to help fatten livestock.

The four substances, which can no longer be used or marketed in the EU as feed additives, are Salinomycin sodium which is used for piglets and finishing pigs, Avilamycin which is used for young pigs, finishing pigs, chickens and turkeys, Flavophospholipol used for rabbits, laying hens, market chickens, turkeys, pigs, calves and cattle, and Monensin sodium used for market cattle.

Cypriot Veterinary Services Director George Neophytou was quoted as saying that livestock farmers in Cyprus were informed as of June 2004 that these four substances would no longer be permitted for fattening purposes.

Source: Xinhua