A Soil Association report on the continued use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry has been slammed as misleading by the industry. The association has claimed that antibiotic growth promoters are being used in a way that breaks EU regulations, and has demanded the UK government takes action. However, industry leaders have dismissed the accusation and described the report as misleading. Peter Bradnock, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, said the drugs were being used only where necessary and as an alternative to therapeutic antibiotics, which have to be given in higher doses. "The industry recognises it's better to use antibiotic growth promoters where necessary rather than an increase in therapeutic antibiotics," he said. The Soil Association said that because the Assured Chicken Production scheme had reversed its ban on antibiotic growth promoters, most chickens could be reared on the drugs. {{MARKET EDGE }}