Antimicrobial resistance in agriculture

A key aspect of veterinary legislation's contribution to global health security involves the identification of competent veterinary authority. As delineated by the WOAH Terrestrial Code and the Codex Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain Antimicrobial Resistance, this authority holds the regulatory power to oversee the endorsement, production, distribution, and application of veterinary medical products to ensure they are aligned with established standards, minimizing risks to public health, animal welfare, and the environment. With the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) posing a significant global health concern, a competent veterinary authority can help to implement measures that curb inappropriate use of antibiotics and other antimicrobials which can contribute to the development and spread of drug-resistant pathogens. This includes the authority to restrict specific activities, such as veterinary product prescription and sales, exclusively to authorized professionals like veterinarians. Knowing which countries have legislation in place identifying and empowering a competent veterinary authority allows for the monitoring and assessment of regulatory frameworks to understand the level of preparedness and capacity of different nations to address AMR emergence and other potential disease outbreaks.

Effective management of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) includes responsible antimicrobial usage and prescription. To ensure that qualified professionals are equipped to address AMR effectively, legislation can define the academic and professional qualifications required for veterinary practice and prescription of veterinary medical products, including antimicrobials. By outlining and mapping which countries have required such qualifications, stakeholders such as researchers, veterinarians, and public health authorities can gain a clearer understanding of the global standards that guide antimicrobial use. This facilitates informed decision-making, collaboration, and implementation of measures to promote prudent antimicrobial practices.

Balanced and responsible use of antimicrobial agents is a key factor in minimizing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Policy plays a significant role in this context, with one strategy involving the regulation of over-the-counter sales of antimicrobials for veterinary use. This helps prevent the unnecessary or improper administration of antimicrobials, which can contribute to the development of AMR. Analyzing the global landscape of legislation that governs the prescription and sale of veterinary medical products, including antimicrobials, proves valuable for comprehending varied regulatory approaches and highlighting the significance of these policies in addressing AMR.

Antimicrobial  substances (AMs) inhibit or eliminate bacteria and are often administered in agricultural practices prophylactically at doses below therapeutic levels. These are utilized in intensive terrestrial and aquatic farming to increase yield. However, excessive usage of AMs can lead to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial populations. Hence, curbing their use is essential to curtail the further proliferation and development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Legislation can address this concern by either banning or restricting the utilization of antibiotics for non-therapeutic purposes, notably growth promotion. While the specifics of banned AM combinations may vary across countries, identifying which countries have integrated any regulations on AMs for farmed animals is useful in the absence of comprehensive risk assessments. This identification offers valuable insights into jurisdictions that have placed priority on addressing this matter through legislative means.

In the context of animal husbandry, animal feed often incorporates additives and components with antimicrobial properties.  One specific category, known as medicated feed, includes veterinary medical products and serves purposes ranging from disease treatment and prevention to growth promotion in animals. Various antimicrobials can be incorporated as feed additives, but their presence can contribute to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Consequently, some countries have established legislation which seeks to limit or prohibit the utilization of medicated feed given the risks of AMR. Discerning which countries have enacted regulatory frameworks to oversee the application of medicated feed provides a lens into the multifaceted strategies employed at a national level, but also facilitates a comprehensive assessment of AMR risks inherent in the realms of livestock production and agricultural practices.