World Antimicrobial Awareness week: Coordinating a One Health approach in Europe and Central Asia

Agricultural practices play an important role in efforts to reduce the use of antimicrobials in both animals and humans and avoid the spread of drug-resistant infections. In observance of World Antimicrobial Awareness week, the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia co-organized an event with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The event was attended by European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) Head of Unit for Animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance, Andrea Gavinelli.

Representatives of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Tripartite, which consists of FAO, OIE, and WHO, talked about their joint work.

FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia Vladimir Rakhmanin stressed the importance of joining forces and facilitating coordination throughout the food system.

The European Union estimates the use of antibiotics fell by 34 percent between 2011 and 2018 and aims to reduce the use of antimicrobials in animal production and aquaculture by 50 percent by 2030. The European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy will be key instruments in achieving this goal. By 2021, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) is expected to launch a strategy to reduce and monitor AMR in aquaculture.