The role of FAO in AMR Dr. Friederike Mayen, DVM, MSc, PhD FAO Senior Livestock Development Officer FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE), Cairo, Egypt
Why Antimicrobials in Livestock? Increase animal production Promote animal welfare through decreased disease and mortality Promote faster animal growth by applying low concentrations of antimicrobials to animal feed: increasingly discouraged but still practiced in several countries Ultimate aim is providing food for human consumption inexpensively
A growing world population.is resulting in an increased demand for food An increase in living standard increases the demand for animal products, especially meat
Key facts on AMR Effective antimicrobials are critical for treatment of diseases in people and animals, helping to ensure food safety and security AMR is a major global threat of increasing concern to human and animal health, exacerbated by excessive use and misuse of antimicrobials Antimicrobial use is expected to rise with the increase in demand for food; minimizing the use of antimicrobials is critical to reduce development of AMR The rise of AMR requires a multi-sectoral, global and coordinated answer
Livestock and Antimicrobials The bulk of antimicrobials are not consumed by humans, but by animals. In the US the livestock sector accounts for about 80% of total annual consumption Between 2010 and 2030, global consumption of antimicrobials in the livestock sector is projected to increase by about 67% Only 25% of countries have implemented a national policy to tackle AMR. Less than 40% of countries have control programs for AMR
Livestock and Antimicrobials Cont. Globally it is estimated that only half of antibiotics are used correctly Global antimicrobial use in the agriculture sector is difficult to estimate, due to lack of regulations and poor data collection in many countries, but is estimated to be over 60,000 tons annually Total consumption of antimicrobials in the livestock sector in 2010 was 63,151 tons. Global use will rise by 67% by 2030 to 105,596 tons
Livestock and Antimicrobials Cont. The greatest increase (a doubling) is set to take place in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. China s livestock industry alone could soon be consuming almost one third of world s available antibiotics. Intensive swine and cattle production are the most important users and poultry and fish are apparently minor (<10% each of total use)
How does AMR in livestock affect Human Health? Contamination of meat, milk, and egg animal products Direct contact with animals Contamination of the environment, such as through spreading animal manure on fields as fertilizer and pollution of water Through providing a reservoir of resistance genes
Measures against AMR in Animal Health/Production Ensure or create formal mechanism between Human Health and Animal Health authorities, including Food/feed processing/producing sector and the private sector Reducing and eliminating Antibiotics as growth promotors in animal production Use of Antibiotics in animals only through prescription by a veterinary Use of critically important Human Health Antibiotics in Food-producing animals only when absolutely necessary (example Fluoroquinolones, Cephalosporines) National intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration Environment
FAO ACTION PLAN ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE 2016-2020 FAO Action Plan focus on raising awareness, developing capacities for surveillance, strengthening governance and promoting good practices in food and agricultural systems
FAO Action Plan and tools for combatting AMR 4 Focus Areas Raising awareness on AMR and related threats Developing capacity for surveillance and monitoring of AMR and antimicrobial use in food and agriculture Strengthening governance related to antimicrobial use and AMR in food and agriculture Promoting good practices in food and agriculture systems and the prudent use of antimicrobials
FAO Action Plan and the ONE HEALTH approach The FAO Action Plan supports the WHO-led Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance adopting a One Health approach, with the involvement of public health and veterinary authorities, the food and agriculture sectors, financial planners, environmental specialists, and consumers FAO will implement this Action Plan within its own Strategic Framework at the global, regional and national levels in alignment with the other involved organizations though the FAO/OIE/WHO Tripartite agreement The objective is to assist Member States to develop and implement multisector National Action Plans to combat AMR
Codex Alimentarius- Food Safety FAO supports the work of the Codex Alimentarius, which sets a range of standards related to preventing and minimizing AMR in the food chain
Need of Integrated Surveillance Establishment of an Integrated Surveillance System for Antimicrobials in Food producing animals, feed, environment Establishment of an Integrated Surveillance System to monitor antimicrobial resistance in selected food-borne bacteria (Public Health, Food and Veterinary Sectors)
Multisector National Action Plans to combat AMR
Progressive Management Pathway for AMR The Progressive Management Pathway for AMR is a tool which offers a stage-wise progression to guide activities and interventions on AMR for each of the food and agriculture sectors in the four focus areas of the Action Plan. The Assessment Tool for Laboratory and AMR Surveillance Systems (ATLASS) assesses laboratory capacities for detecting AMR, as well as the structure and operation of the overall surveillance system.
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