Animal Medicines Australia, the peak industry body representing the leaders of the animal health industry in Australia, welcomes the United Nations Political Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the essential leadership it provides for global action against AMR. We applaud nations for developing a broad consensus for better animal health and disease prevention, alongside actions in humans and environment, as a core pathway to address AMR in a One Health manner.
This work builds upon the many years of action that have occurred within the animal health sector. Responsible Use Coalitions have brought together the value chain for 20+ years in key markets to support sustainable reductions in the need for antibiotics. Animal medicines companies have set measurable goals, including bringing new prevention tools to market. The Political Declaration can bring renewed support for this work and encourage others to emulate it.
In particular, the animal health sector welcomes the global consensus in three key areas:
- Disease Prevention: Commitment for all nations to have animal vaccination strategies with defined implementation plans by 2030, recognising “the need to prioritise and fund the implementation to prevent and control infections.”
- Science-based solutions: Call for creation of an ‘independent panel’ that can provide the scientific evidence necessary to address AMR in a One Health manner.
- Access to animal health tools: Commitment to “promote the timely supply of quality and affordable essential veterinary medicines, vaccines and diagnostics”, acknowledging the need to improve diagnostic use and increase the number of veterinarians, veterinary paraprofessionals and paraprofessionals globally.
The Animal Health sector looks forward to working with government and stakeholders to implement the Declaration. Animal Medicines Australia Executive Director, Ben Stapley welcomed the declaration.
“The Declaration recognises that this work must take national contexts into consideration and build upon existing frameworks like the 2021 Codex Alimentarius Code of Practice to Minimise and Contain Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance”, said Mr Stapley. “The Animal Health Sector supports wider adoption of Codex standards, including those regarding the phase out of medically important antimicrobials for growth promotion. Australian animal health industries removed these uses from Australian products in 2017 and continues to encourage the prudent, responsible use of all antimicrobials .
“Antimicrobials are essential tools necessary for safe, sustainable and ethical livestock industries. This declaration will help preserve effective antimicrobials for when they are truly needed”. said Mr. Stapley
“The use of antimicrobials in agriculture and food production has significantly contributed to improved animal welfare and safer production systems. The responsible use of antibiotics is crucial to ensuring these vital medicines remain effective into the future. As a science-based industry, Animal Medicines Australia is pleased that the Declaration makes multiple references to scientific evidence and scientific standards as the basis for action and is pleased that an independent and science-based panel will be established”, Mr. Stapley said.
A recent report developed by global animal health organisation HealthforAnimals, with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation – ‘How Prevention Can Reduce the Need for Antibiotics’ provides valuable guidance for improving disease prevention, while investment in animal health systems and support for innovation can provide the necessary tools and infrastructure to achieve it. This work can help achieve global AMR goals and improve the lives of animals and humans in the years to come.
ENDS
Contact:
Dr. Katie Asplin, Director – Animal Health Stewardship and Engagement +61 2 6257 9022