World commitment to prudent animal antibiotic use

World agreement on the way forward for the prudent use of antibiotics in farm animals renders additional UK legislation unnecessary, says the National Office of Animal Health. The World Veterinary Association (WVA), the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) and the World Federation of the Animal Health Industry (COMISA) have announced a set of global principles on responsible animal antibiotic use.

Speaking on today's introduction of a Bill on the Use of Antibiotics in Farm Animals by Bill Etherington MP, NOAH director Roger Cook welcomed the world guidelines and expressed disappointment that the deliberations of many groups of experts, and the strides forward being made on the more prudent and responsible use of both human and animal antibiotics had not been taken into account.

'The animal health industry recognises the seriousness of the concerns over antibiotic resistance in humans and acknowledges its own responsibility in this area', he said. A wide scale monitoring programme and review is currently being conducted through the European Commission of all antibiotic digestive enhancers, although its future is threatened by the EU ban on four active ingredients. In addition, a group of leading scientists, including Nobel prizewinners, working under the auspices of the Heidelberg Appeal, is conducting a further independent assessment of the published information on this issue: the report is expected very soon.

Antibiotic use in animals is not seen by experts as a major contributor to human antibiotic resistance problems. The World Health Organisation's Berlin Conference in November 1997 reported that the tragic growth of antibiotic resistance in human medicine was 'primarily' due to over-use and misuse in human medicine around the world - a view echoed by the House of Lords select Committee on Science and Technology.

'Nevertheless', said NOAH director Roger Cook, 'Our industry has long recognised that it has a role to play in reducing the need for antibiotics usage. In 1996 our EU federation, FEDESA, published its code of practice on the responsible use of antibiotics. In autumn 1997 NOAH, BVA and UKASTA jointly sponsored the conference 'Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture' which has led to the formation of the RUMA Alliance, involving the whole food chain.' RUMA is putting together specific species guidelines on how the need for antibiotics may be reduced - but recognises that antibiotics still have a vital role in animal health and welfare.

Mr Cook emphasised that it was a world issue. 'These moves have taken on a global importance with the publication of 'Joint Guidelines on the Prudent Use of Antibiotics in Animals', where the world organisations for farmers, veterinarians and the animal health industry committed to new global principles', he said. These principles will be carried through to daily practice.

2 March 1999

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Roger Cook or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)181 367 3131, or visit the NOAH website.
2. The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association has 34 corporate members and 10 associate members. In 1998 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the £384 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.