The British Veterinary Association is hosting a monthlong blog series on antimicrobial resistance amid a government study that found a sharp drop in sales of antibiotics for use in farming.
Writing the blog will be the United Kingdom’s chief veterinary officer, Nigel Gibbens, BVetMed, MSc; BVA President John Fishwick, VetMB, DECBHM; and other experts representing veterinary science, academia or government. The blog will be available at http://bit.ly/2gE6bIW.
BVA’s senior vice president, Gudrun Ravetz, BVSc, called antimicrobial resistance “a serious global One Health issue that the veterinary profession is deeply concerned about.”
“Increased collaboration between the health sectors, underpinned by a commitment from each of us within the veterinary profession to maintain the highest standards of stewardship in using antimicrobials, most especially critically important antibiotics, is the only way we can preserve these essential medicines for future generations,” Dr. Ravetz said.
A Defra report issued Oct. 27 showed that sales of antibiotics for use in food-producing animals have fallen by 27 percent since 2014. The goal, established in a 2016 review, was a 20 percent reduction by 2018.
World Antibiotic Awareness Week is Nov. 13 to 19. Antimicrobial resistance also will be addressed Nov. 17 during a session at the London Vet Show.