Policy brief - HealthyLivestock project

Antimicrobials losing effectiveness because of bacteria becoming increasingly resistant to them is a growing problem. The World Health Organization has declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top 10 global health threats facing humanity. Lack of safe and effective antimicrobials puts the ability of modern medicine to treat bacterial infections at risk. The cost of AMR to the economy is also significant. AMR is an issue for animals too. Moreover, resistant bacteria can be transmitted from animals to people and vice versa. The HealthyLivestock research project’s central hypothesis is that strengthening the health and welfare of livestock will contribute to protecting animals against infectious diseases. Systematically implementing risk-based biosecurity measures, and creating husbandry systems that allow animals to thrive, will make animals less vulnerable to infectious diseases. This will reduce the need for antimicrobials and so cut the risk of resistant bacteria emerging and spreading. In animals that still need treatment, detecting issues early and providing targeted and effective treatment will also help mitigate the risk of AMR. We can improve animals’ health and welfare in several ways. Through the HealthyLivestock research described below, carried out in the European Union and in China, we demonstrate that improved biosecurity, strengthened resilience, early disease detection and targeted medication can reduce the need for antimicrobials in animal husbandry, in particular for pigs and poultry. Below are our recommendations for politicians and other decision-makers with an interest in animal production and fighting antimicrobial resistance in pigs and poultry. Politicians can use these to develop and implement new policies and regulations, at international, national and local level. We hope other decision-makers, including veterinarians and farmers and their organisations, production chains, institutions for quality assurance, wholesalers, retailers, non-governmental organisations and academics, will use our recommendations in their work, for example to help set standards and develop codes of practice. Read the short version HERE Read the full version HEREFull version and a short version of the policy brief are availabl