Global Supply Chain Drivers of Agricultural Antibiotic Emissions in China

Antibiotic pollution causes serious environmental and social issues. China is the largest antibiotic producer and userin the world, with a large share of antibiotics used in agriculture.This study quantified agricultural antibiotic emissions of mainlandChina in 2014 as well as critical drivers in global supply chains.Results show that China's agriculture discharged 4131 tons ofantibiotics. Critical domestic supply chain drivers are mainlylocated in Central China, North China, and East China. Foreignfinal demand contributes 9% of agricultural antibiotic emissions inmainland China and leads to 5-40% of emissions in each province.Foreign primary inputs (e.g., labor and capital) contribute 5% ofagricultural antibiotic emissions in mainland China and lead to 2-63% of emissions in each province. Critical international drivers include thefinal demand of the United States and Japan for foodsand textile products, as well as the primary inputs of the oil seeds sector in Brazil. The results indicate the uniqueness of supply chaindrivers for antibiotic emissions compared with other emissions. Ourfindings reveal supply chain hotspots for multiple-perspectivepolicy decisions to control China's agricultural antibiotic emissions as well as for international cooperation

Automated summary

Antibiotic pollution is a serious issue causing environmental and social problems. China, as the largest producer and user of antibiotics, has a significant amount of antibiotics used in agriculture. This study quantified the agricultural antibiotic emissions in mainland China in 2014 and identified the critical drivers in global supply chains. The findings reveal the unique supply chain drivers for antibiotic emissions and provide insights for policy decisions and international cooperation in controlling China's agricultural antibiotic emissions.