Mairead McGuinness Fine Gael MEP

The role of antibiotics in veterinary medicine will come under closer scrutiny as the EU unveils an action plan to deal with antimicrobial resistance which results in over 25,000 patients dying each year in the EU and related health costs of €1.5 billion annually.

Speaking in Limerick at the ICMSA AGM, McGuinness said the Commission’s 12 point action plan to tackle the problem includes five specific measures aimed at tightening control on the use of antibiotics in animals.

“The overall strategy is to ensure that antibiotics are used appropriately in both humans and animals and that there is improved monitoring and control of use.

“To that end the Commission is set to develop proposals to strengthen EU law on veterinary medicines and on medicated feed.

“It will also introduce recommendations for prudent use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine, including follow up reports.

“The new EU animal Health Law will include legal tools to tighten and control infections in animals.

“There will also be more stringent surveillance systems on AMR and antimicrobial consumption in animal medicines.

“Antibiotics are a vital tool in treating health problems in animals and must be used appropriately.

“It is also necessary to analyse the need for new antibiotics in veterinary medicine,” she added.

McGuinness said the issue of antimicrobial resistance is a significant human health problem. A key part of the Commission’s strategy is to improve awareness about the appropriate use of antibiotics both in human and animal health, she said.

And she said that while the focus of the EU Commission’s strategy is on addressing the unnecessary deaths of so many people, it is clear that the use of antibiotics in veterinary medicines is also under strict scrutiny and is likely to be even further tightened and restricted.

Note:Antimicrobials include antibiotics, disinfectants, antiseptics and other hygiene products. These products have reduced substantially the threat of infectious diseases, but bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics.