From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has launched the Code of Good Practice regarding the Responsible Use of Antimicrobials in Horses. This is the 8th Code of Good Practice on responsible use of antimicrobials developed by, and for, our animal health sector stakeholders.
Launching the Code, the Minister said:
“Working in partnership, our multidisciplinary equine stakeholders have again come together to produce an excellent resource, for our horse owners and keepers. This best practice Code highlights the importance of the responsible use of antimicrobials, such as antibiotics, in order to safeguard their efficacy as much and for as long as possible, for both our human and veterinary patients alike. Importantly, the Code also provides practical, concise advice to support the responsible use of antimicrobials by horse owners and keepers.”
This Code is an output of Ireland’s National Action Plan to address the One Health challenge of antimicrobial resistance (iNAP ). Highlighting the wide-ranging implications, if AMR is not effectively addressed, the Minister commented:
“AMR is global threat- a threat to our health, our animal’s health, our shared environment and ultimately our agri-industry. Not only do we need to ensure the responsible use of antimicrobials, all animal owners need to do what they can to promote their animal’s health and reduce the risk of disease. Disease prevention through enhanced biosecurity and optimal animal health management are key measures to reduce the need to use antimicrobials, such as antibiotics. This Code clearly outlines these measures for our horse owners.”
Minister McConalogue acknowledged the contribution of all members of the iNAP Animal Health Implementation Committee, specifically those who collaborated and provided leadership in the development of this Code for horse owners:
“I wish to sincerely thank our equine health stakeholders, specifically veterinary practitioners and researchers for their enthusiasm, commitment, time and expertise, all generously given, to produce this document. AMR is a complex, global issue-it is only by working together, using a One Health approach, that we can successfully achieve our objectives in tackling AMR.”
The Code also highlights the important stewardship role that equine veterinary practitioners play in reducing the use of antimicrobials.
Further information on AMR is available on the joint Department of Health and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine AMR webpage.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is resistance of a microorganism to a drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by that microorganism. Resistant microorganisms (including bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa) are able to withstand attack by antimicrobial drugs, such as antibacterial drugs (for example, antibiotics), antifungals, antivirals, and antimalarials, so that standard treatments become ineffective and infections persist, increasing the risk of spread to others.
Antimicrobials are essential to the practice of modern medicine, enabling sophisticated medical interventions and treatments, such as chemotherapy and organ transplants.
National Action Plans on AMR are an international commitment to Member States of both the European Commission and the World Health Organisation.
iNAP2 was developed following the WHO Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. The plan contains a range of strategic interventions and activities across the human health, animal health and environmental sectors grouped under five strategic objectives aimed at:
1. Improving awareness and knowledge of AMR;
2. Enhancing surveillance of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic use;
3. Reducing the spread of infection and disease;
4. Optimizing the use of antibiotics in human and animal health; and
5. Promoting research and sustainable investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions.
The One Health concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. Recognising that human health, animal health and ecosystem health are inextricably linked, One Health seeks to promote, improve and defend the health and well-being of all species by enhancing cooperation and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, other scientific health and environmental professionals and by promoting strengths in leadership and management to achieve these goals.
There is international collaboration on One Health through the Quadripartite initiative which looks at tackling One Health global public health threats, such as AMR, which requires action across human and animal health sectors, agriculture and the wider environment. The Qaudripartite consists of four main agencies: the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
At a national level the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, respectively, established the National Interdepartmental Antimicrobial Resistance Consultative Committee. It was established in 2014. Committee membership consists of representatives of both departments, relevant HSE agencies, EPA, HPRA, FSAI and other key stakeholder groupings in the human and animal health sectors.