Improper use of veterinary drugs by pig farmers may affect food safety and agro-ecological environment. This study analyzed the influence of pig farmer characteristics on the improper use of veterinary drugs in rural China. A multivariate ordered logistic model was applied to examine survey data from 654 pig farmers in Jiangsu Province, China. Results showed that poorly educated, older, male farmers with over 10 years of pig production experience on small- and medium-scale farms were most likely to engage in improper veterinary drug use. Furthermore, male farmers with over 10 years of pig production experience on small-scale farms were more likely to exhibit medium-risk improper use of veterinary drugs, while farmers on medium-scale farms with the same characteristics were more likely to exhibit high-risk improper use. It is concluded that poorly educated male farmers, especially from small- and medium-scale farms, with over 10 years of pig production experience, should be the key target of government classification, regulation, and supervision.
Keywords: Improper use; Multivariate ordered logistic model; Pig farmer characteristics; Rural China; Veterinary drugs.