Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Europe: putting our best foot forward for One Health

08/11/22

Brussels, 8 November 2022

Co-hosted by MEPs Emma Wiesner and Alexander Bernhuber, EPRUMA organised an event in the run-up to Antibiotics Awareness Day to discuss best practices to foster a true One Health approach to addressing the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance.

– Event slides are available here. –

A panel of human and animal health stakeholders discussed how to integrate best practices to minimise as much as possible the need for antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are a cornerstone of modern medicine and remain the only way to treat a bacterial disease in humans and animals. Preserving the efficacy of antibiotics is of vital importance for our shared future.

Co-host MEP Emma Wiesner opened the event saying: “Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats against humanity. The European Union must do more to curb the overuse of antibiotics in the EU livestock sector and in human healthcare. The EU must also act stronger on a global level – the goal should be a binding global agreement on reduction of antibiotics use – like a Paris agreement, but for antibiotics.”

Co-host MEP Alexander Bernhuber added: “The responsible use of antibiotics is still necessary for livestock farming. Veterinarians must use antibiotics to treat bacterial diseases, contain disease outbreaks and prevent animal suffering. The use of antibiotics in animal husbandry is a matter of animal welfare and health responsibility. Nevertheless, we have to work together on European level to find a pathway to reduce the need for antibiotics in both, animal and human medicine.”

Following presentations from EPRUMA and DG SANTE on the current efforts to reduce the need to use antibiotics in both animal and human health, Aurélien Perez from the One Health Directorate under DG SANTE outlined the next steps in the EU pipeline for addressing AMR, including the review of human pharmaceutical legislation. This was followed by a panel discussion where representatives from human doctors (CPME), veterinarians (FVE), farming (Copa Cogeca) and human self-care (AESGP) associations discussed best practices and further efforts needed to improve infection prevention and control, as well as how to incorporate the environmental aspect of antimicrobial resistance.

EPRUMA chair Cat McLaughlin closed the event saying:
“The concept of ‘One Health’ is about recognising that responsible use of antibiotics is of equal importance in both humans and animals. It is not about ‘zero use’ of medicines and antibiotics. It is about reducing our need for them in the first place but acknowledging that if we do have to use them, we use them in the right way, at the right moment, at the right dosage and adhering to the prescription and instructions. Using antibiotics as little as possible, but as much as necessary, and calling for the implementation of a true One Health approach will continue to be EPRUMA’s guiding principle.”

Ends

EPRUMA is a multi-stakeholder platform linking best practice with animal health and public health. It aims to ensure best practice through responsible use of medicines in the prevention and control of animal diseases.

EPRUMA partners:

• Access VetMed: European Group for Generic Veterinary Products
• AnimalhealthEurope: The voice of the animal medicines industry
• COPA-COGECA: European Farmers and Agri-Cooperatives
• Diagnostics for Animals
• EFFAB: Animal breeding and reproduction association
• FECAVA: Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations
• FEFAC: European Feed Manufacturers Federation
• FESASS: European Federation for Animal Health and Sanitary Security
• FVE: Federation of Veterinarians of Europe

Associate partners (National Responsible Use platforms):

• AMCRA: Centre for Expertise on Antimicrobial Consumption and Resistance in Animals (Belgium)
• RUMA: Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (United Kingdom)
• RUMA Companion Animal and Equine (United Kingdom)
• SDa: Veterinary Medicines Institute (The Netherlands)
• VETRESPONSABLE: Platform for the Responsible Use of Medicines in Animals (Spain)

For further information visit, www.epruma.eu

Event slides are available here.