In September, FAO Pakistan hosted a workshop in Islamabad, Pakistan, under the "Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT)" project. This workshop brought together more than 60 participants from Pakistan, as well as ACT project coordinators from Cambodia and Nepal, along with the regional coordinator for Asia. The primary focus was on sharing Pakistan's experience in tackling foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan, opened the workshop by stressing the urgency of making informed decisions for the sake of future generations. She underscored the critical role of antimicrobial use and resistance data in shaping effective strategies.
A diverse group of stakeholders attended, including representatives from federal and provincial livestock and dairy development departments, national veterinary reference diagnostic laboratories, academia, the poultry industry, private sector, food authorities, and international organizations. Their collective effort aimed to assess the current state of AMR in Pakistan and determine the necessary course of action.
Notably, Pakistan had established a National Action Plan on AMR in 2017, but the absence of legislation and government oversight regarding antimicrobial imports and consumption raised concerns. Veterinarians in Pakistan also expressed worries about insufficient veterinary support, posing a significant obstacle to combating AMR effectively.
During the workshop, participants identified critical steps to address AMR in Pakistan. These included implementing AMR surveillance, becoming part of the International FAO Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring (InFARM) system, conducting ongoing awareness campaigns, exploring alternatives to growth promoters, sharing data, and strengthening legislation to promote responsible antimicrobial use. Furthermore, the ACT Project team in Pakistan collaborated with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to develop a comprehensive National Animal Health Legal Framework. This framework encompassed various essential aspects, such as preventing infectious diseases, ensuring animal traceability, regulating veterinary drugs, safeguarding consumer safety, and promoting animal welfare.
The workshop formed part of a broader three-day mission undertaken by the ACT regional team. The mission aimed to assess project progress and establish priority action items for the future. Activities ranged from road-mapping workshops to field visits and discussions to chart out the course for 2024.
The ACT project operates both globally and locally, with a specific focus on countries like Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Cambodia, Colombia, Mongolia, Nepal, and Pakistan. It is dedicated to helping these nations prevent and manage foodborne AMR by implementing Codex AMR texts—international standards, guidelines, and codes of practice designed to protect consumer health and ensure equitable practices in the food trade.
More information can be found at:
https://www.fao.org/antimicrobial-resistance/projects/ongoing/project-10/en/