FIGHTING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

IN THE DAIRY SECTOR

THE FACTS

• Antimicrobials are essential for animal health, welfare and productivity -

they contribute to food security, food safety and public health

• growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could reverse these benefits - disease

treatments ineffective, increased severity of disease, reduces productivity

and economic losses

• antimicrobials residues in products of animal origins, in animal waste

contaminating soil and water and the environment further contributes to the

emergence and spread of AMR

• unhealthy and unproductive animals are not able to generate food products

of acceptable safety and quality and no longer contribute to income

generation. They reduce the livestock sectors potential of access to trade

and increase public health risks

THE BAD NEWS

antimicrobial use in animal production is under increased scrutiny and consumer perception is increasingly negative

in recent decades, the increase and intensification of animal production has led to an increasing use of antimicrobials – use that is expected to increase of 67% by 2030 ((China, US, Brazil, India and Mexico)

there are proliferating international requirements (Codex Alimentarius, OIE), national legislations and private sector standards (e.g. McDonald’s, Tyson and Walmart) to comply with

the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a shared responsability (across production systems and geographic regions) and the dairy sector has specific responsibilities

THE GOOD NEWS

the use of antimicrobials in the dairy sector is much lower if

compared to poultry or swine production (~12% of total livestock

use)

still there are several options to reduce it and thus contributing

to reduce AMR - the dairy sector can be part of the solutions, it

can lead the other sectors by example

there are a number or organizations (IDF, FAO) that can support

the sector by raising awareness, providing information,,

technical assistance and training

Main documents:

Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain Antimicrobial

Resistance (2005)

Guidelines for Risk Analysis of Foodborne Antimicrobial

Resistance (2011)

Other Codex texts relevant to AMR includes:

General Principles of Food Hygiene

Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding

Several Codes of hygienic practices for different

commodities (e.g. milk and milk products)

CODEX ALIMENTARIUS ON AMR

Ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (TFAMR),

hosted by the Republic of Korea to:

Review and revise the Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain

Antimicrobial Resistance to address the entire food chain

Consider the development of Guidance on Integrated Surveillance of

Antimicrobial Resistance, taking into account the guidance developed by the

WHO Advisory Group on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance

(AGISAR) and relevant OIE documents

The TFAMR shall complete its work within three, starting in 2017

CODEX ALIMENTARIUS ON AMR - FORTHCOMING

Physical Working Group, chaired by the United Kingdom, and co-chaired by

Australia and the United States of America to:

Revise the two project documents for new work

Revise the terms of reference for the request for scientific advice to FAO

and WHO in collaboration with OIE

The working group will be held in London (UK) from 29 November to 2

December 2016

CODEX ALIMENTARIUS ON AMR - FORTHCOMING

USE OF ANTIMICROBIALS IN THE DAIRY SECTOR

Disease prevention (dry cow therapy to prevent mastitis)

Disease treatment (mastitis, respiratory diseases, lameness, metritis)

Increase feed efficiency and improve animal performance

THE RESPONSABILITIES OF THE DAIRY SECTOR

to ensure cattle health and welfare (antimicrobials need to be there and be

effective)

to ensure economic sustainability of the dairy farms and plants

(antimicrobials can avoid economic losses due to cattle diseases; but only

their responsible use will guarantee market opportunities)

to be inclusive: take care of the small, marginal and disadvantages producers

to provide information and data for effective surveillance

to contribute to a reduced and more responsible use of antmicrobials

to assist producers and countries with less resources (AMR has no boundaries)

WHAT TO DO

ANTIMICROBIAL USE SHOULD NEVER COMPENSATE FOR BAD FARMING PRACTICES

AND POOR MANAGEMENT

KEEP DISEASE OUT - KEEP DISEASE LEVELS DOWS AND CONTROL SPREAD:

biosecurity (cattle, people, workers’ health, equipment, manure, pasture,

feed, pest control, etc.)

vaccination

good husbandry and hygiene practices

prevent injuries

WHAT TO DO

HELP THE ANIMALS TO HELP THEMSELVES:

use locally adapted breeds

ensure high welfare(air and water quality, ventilation, environment,

lameness)

avoid stress (overcrowding, poor handling, bad transport, introduction of

new heifers in herd, etc.)

adequate nutrition (colostrum, balanced diets, adequate dry matter

intake for all ages, levels of energy, fiber, protein, essential elements,

vitamins, etc.

WHAT TO DO

GOOD WASTE MANAGEMENT (avoid polluting water and soils - between 75% to

90% of antimicrobials used in livestock are excreted, mostly unmetabolized)

ENSURE GUT HEALTH (and increase feed efficiency through other means (e.g.

in-feed enzymes, competitive exclusion products, probiotics, prebiotics,

acidifiers, plant extracts, neutraceuticals, essential oils, yeast and many

others)

WHAT TO DO

USE ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIMICROBIALS (e.g. vitamins, enzymes, internal

teats sealant, etc.):

ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP

e.g. Dry-treats teats individually, on selective basis, relying on culture

work

FAO SUPPORT

The FAO Action Plan on AMR applied to the dairy sector

1. Improve awareness and advocacy on AMR

and related threats

2. Develop capacity for surveillance and

monitoring of AMR and AMU

3. Strengthen governance related to AMU

4. Promote good practices and the prudent

use of antimicrobials

FAO ACTION PLAN ON AMR – FOR THE DAIRY SECTOR

16

AWARENESS

• Multi level, multi stakeholder approach, e.g. this

meeting

• Identify and work with other key partners (e.g. World

Farmers’ Organisation)

Awareness Evidence

Governance Practices

AMR

EVIDENCE

What we need to know: surveillance and monitoring

systems for AMR and AMU in the dairy sector

Awareness Evidence

Governance Practices

AMR

Work with dairy associations in regional / national initiatives

and in the development of national action plans

Awareness Evidence

Governance Practices

AMR

GOVERNANCE

PRACTICE

Sustainable dairy production systems with reduced

antimicrobials

Improving biosecurity

Implementation of good practices

Guidance on good practices tailored to specific

country situations

Awareness Evidence

Governance Practices

AMR

THE WAY FORWARD – FAO COLLABORATION WITH THE DAIRY

SECTOR

increased dialogues among stakeholders, particularly with governments

spread information on good practices (e.g. publications? training? twinning)

showcase the responsible position of the sector as an example for others

MORE INFORMATION

http://www.fao.org/antimicrobial-resistance/en/

Antimicrobial-Resistance@fao.org

daniela.battaglia@fao.org

THANK YOU