European Parliament, Strasbourg 321 st session Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals 4 February 2016, 10:00 11:00 am Federation of Veterinarians of Europe
Good Animal Husbandry key to fight AMR Jan Vaarten, DVM FVE executive director Federation of Veterinarians of Europe
1. FVE 2. AMR 3. FVE s actions 4. What more needs to be done 5. Concluding remarks
1. 2. AMR 3. FVE s actions 4. What more needs to be done 5. Concluding remarks
1. 46 National Veterinary Professional Organisations 38 European countries (28 EU member countries, 10 non-eu countries) Representing around 240.000 European veterinarians 4 International Members ( Sections ) UEVP (Practitioners) UEVH (Hygienists Public Health Officers) EASVO (Veterinary State Officers) EVERI (Education, Research, Industry) One Profession - One Vision - One Voice 5
FVE s mission The European veterinary profession, embodied by FVE, strives to enhance animal health, animal welfare, public health and protect the environment by promoting the veterinary profession. Together with its members, FVE aims to support veterinarians in delivering their professional responsibilities to the best possible standard, and that this expertise is recognized and valued by society.
1. FVE 2. Antimicrobial Resistance 3. FVE s actions 4. What more needs to be done 5. Concluding remarks
Antimicrobial resistance www.fve.org Sir Alexander Fleming Nobel Price Lecture 11 Dec 1945
Antimicrobial resistance : Bacteria susceptible to anti-microbial treatment become less or in-susceptible Evolutionary process : genetic variation Enhanced selection pressure by exposure survival of the fittest Can occur in, and spread via all bacteria, regardless if they cause disease or not Fighting AMR : 1. Starts with keeping up the animals health and welfare and thus avoiding the need for using antimicrobials 2. When antimicrobial treatment is needed: they shall be used responsibly
Complex issue www.fve.org
1. FVE 2. AMR 3. FVE s actions 4. What more needs to be done 5. Concluding remarks
FVE s actions against AMR www.fve.org Communication Research Policy making Data collection
1. Try to avoid the use of antimicrobials by keeping up the animals health and welfare Disease prevention Proper living conditions: adapt the housing to the animals Optimization management systems Most antimicrobials are used around critical moments in the animals lifes: weaning, transport, re-grouping, production-peaks, etc. Good bio-security, between farms and on the farm (smaller units)
1. FVE 2. AMR 3. FVE s actions 4. What more needs to be done? 5. Concluding remarks
1 to 1 relation and good communication farmer and veterinarian Regular farm visits and herd and welfare checks Effective disease monitoring and surveillance
2. And when antimicrobial treatment is needed use the correct treatment Examination diagnosis treatment evaluation and follow up Prescription of antimicrobials by a licensed veterinarian for the animals under his care Knowledge and skills Personal, professional responsible Licensed accountable Record keeping and Pharmacovigilance No over the counter or internet sales of antimicrobials 16
Prophylaxis = preventative treatment should be avoided as much as possible. Only in exceptional high risks situations, e.g. certain complicated surgical interventions shall never be applied routinely nor to compensate for poor hygiene or for inadequate husbandry conditions. Metaphylaxis = group treatment after the disease is diagnosed in that group Only for animals direct at risk, and in combination with other risk management measures
Antimicrobials and Animal Welfare Sick animals need to be treated! Disease prevention and animal welfare can very well go hand in hand! Both are part of sustainable animal farming
1. FVE 2. AMR 3. FVE s actions 4. What more needs to be done 5. Concluding remarks
Fighting AMR is feasible: everyone has to contribute Good animal husbandry is key This requires efforts and investments! Europe is in the frontline of the back field
Thank you for your attention