Tackling the dependence of EU food systems on antimicrobials

In the run-up to European Antibiotic Awareness Day, the European Parliamentary interest group on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) organized an online discussion on ways to reduce AMR to improve the health of people, animals and the environment.

The online event was hosted by Sarah Wiener, Chair of the MEP Interest Group on Antimicrobial Resistance and member of the European Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition. It focused on finding evidence-informed policy solutions and looking to the veterinary, agricultural and trade arenas for help in addressing this urgent threat.

The European Commission was represented by Sabine Juelicher, Director Food and Feed safety, Innovation. She highlighted the ambitious goal of the Farm to Fork Strategy to reduce by 50 percent the overall use of antimicrobials for farmed animals and aquaculture between now and 2030. Juelicher emphasized that AMR has been a priority for the Commission for the last years, which supports a global approach to tackling AMR.

FAO is working on reducing AMR globally while preserving the ability to continue to treat infections, Keith Sumption, Chief Veterinary Officer of FAO, told event participants. “It is vitally important to find a balance between animal health, the environment, and human health,” Sumption said. “Agriculture offers us key opportunities to reduce antimicrobial resistance and promote sustainable food systems.”

Sumption made a special mention of the upcoming World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and the launch of the One Health Global Leaders Group on AMR, which brings together UN agencies with members of civil society and the private sector on this issue.

Rens Van Dobbenburgh, President, Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and Kate Blaszak, Global Farm Animal Advisor, World Animal Protection, also offered their insights. The event was moderated by Zoltán Massay-Kosubek, Policy Manager, European Public Health Alliance.

AMR has become an international health threat due to misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, including on farms and in aquaculture. FAO is leading efforts to raise awareness on AMR at the global level and supports countries in their efforts to address AMR. More information on FAO's work on AMR is available here.