DEFRA intends to reduce anbiotics use in aquaculture in two years. (Photo: Stock File/FIS)

Govt commits to aquaculture antibiotics reduction

UNITED KINGDOM
Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 03:00 (GMT + 9)

In response to a review on antimicrobial resistance, United Kingdom’s Government has committed to a reduction in antibiotic use in farmed fish farmed for direct human consumption in two years, using methodology harmonised across other countries in Europe.

The study in question had been requested by the Government to Lord Jim O’Neill and its conclusions were released in May this year.

In a report addressed to the whole global community, British authorities express their intention to fulfil the commitment undertaken last year in their Manifesto, stating they continue to lead the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human beings and in animals.

In the case of aquaculture, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) explained the reduction in antibiotic use be amount to an average of 50mg/kg from the most recent 2014 figure of 62mg/kg.

To achieve this aim, the Government argues that an international panel of experts will be needed to guide the design of these targets and help countries implement them, alongside support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

“Our suggestions on how they could be formulated: targets could be set over 10 years, with milestones to ensure regular progress, for reductions in total agricultural usage of antibiotics. These could be defined on the basis of milligrams of antibiotic used per kilogram of meat or fish production, with consideration given to appropriate variation by species,” the document details.

The Government of the United Kingdom stresses that they will continue to contribute expertise to OIE activity identifying research gaps for development of new animal and fish vaccines.

As part of the commitment that has been undertaken, the report authors highlight the prevention and recognise the efforts made by Lord Jim O'Neill to strengthen the infection prevention and control, both in human and animal health.

Taking this further, the Government expresses their commitment to work closely with different individual sectors to ensure that appropriate sector specific reduction targets are agreed by 2017 so that future reductions are greatest where there is most scope, and that they are underpinned by improvements which focus on encouraging best practice and responsible use of antibiotics and which safeguard animal health and welfare.

“On animal health, we will continue to support OIE initiatives to progress action on AMR, including contributing technical expertise on surveillance and identification of vaccines that have a high impact on reducing antibiotic use in animals,” the document stresses.

The Government made their commitment public little time before the special meeting at the United Nations on antimicrobial resistence, starting on Wednesday in New York, the United States.

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print