In response to a review on antimicrobial resistance, United Kingdom’s Government has committed to a reduction in antibiotic use in farmed fish farmed for direct human consumption in two years, using methodology harmonised across other countries in Europe.

The study in question had been requested by the Government to Lord Jim O’Neill and its conclusions were released in May this year.

In a report addressed to the whole global community, British authorities express their intention to fulfil the commitment undertaken last year in their Manifesto, stating they continue to lead the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human beings and in animals.

In the case of aquaculture, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs(Defra) explained the reduction in antibiotic use be amount to an average of 50mg/kg from the most recent 2014 figure of 62mg/kg.

To achieve this aim, the Government argues that an international panel of experts will be needed to guide the design of these targets and help countries implement them, alongside support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

“Our suggestions on how they could be formulated: targets could be set over 10 years, with milestones to ensure regular progress, for reductions in total agricultural usage of antibiotics. These could be defined on the basis of milligrams of antibiotic used per kilogram of meat or fish production, with consideration given to appropriate variation by species,” the document details.

The Government of the United Kingdom stresses that they will continue to contribute expertise to OIE activity identifying research gaps for development of new animal and fish vaccines.

Source: FIS // Original Article