Avoparcin is a glycopeptide antibiotic effective against Gram-positive bacteria.

It has been used in agriculture as an additive to livestock feed to promote growth in chickens, pigs, and cattle.

Because of this similarity, concern exists that widespread use of avoparcin in animals may lead to an increased prevalence of vancomycin-resistant strains of bacteria.

[2][3][4][5] Avoparcin was once widely used in Australia and the European Union, but it is currently not permitted in either.

[7] Avoparcin is prohibited in the Euopean Union,[8] Australia, and the United States.