131 EMA and EFSA Joint Scientific Opinion on measures to reduce the need to use antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry in the European Union (Research report – EMA EFSA, 2017 )

 

 

131 Research report – EMA EFSA – 2017 – EMA and EFSA Joint Scientific Opinion on measures to reduce the need to use antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry in the European Union

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance; Antibiotic use; Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep; Other;
Age: Young; Adult; Different for different species;
Summary: In 2017, EFSA and EMA have jointly reviewed measures taken in the EU to reduce the need for and use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals, and the resultant impacts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).Some reduction strategies have been implemented successfully in some Member States, including: national reduction targets, benchmarking of antimicrobial use, controls on prescribing by veterinarians and restrictions on use of specific critically important antimicrobials, together with improvements to animal husbandry, disease prevention and control measures.

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4666; https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4666

Country: EU

129 The global threat of antimicrobial resistance_science for intervention (Research report – Roca, 2015)

 

 

129 Research report – Roca – 2015 – The global threat of antimicrobial resistance_science for intervention

AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance; Antibiotic use; Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Other;
Age: Different for different species;
Summary: The current threat of antimicrobial resistance plus the need to control it and find alternatives to currently used antimicrobial products has prompted the different stakeholders to take action in integrating research and public health, maintaining and promoting national and international antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research communities. In summary, the following measures can be taken to prevent emergence and spread of AMR: rational antibiotic’s use, implementing infection control measures at farm level, developing strategies to mitigate the risks for environment of antimicrobial residues, having rapid tests for diagnosis of infections, promotion of research on prevention and surveillance of AMR and developing novel antimicrobial strategies and agents, improving general and public awareness of responsible antibiotic use and risks associated to increased AMR.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446399/; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmni.2015.02.007

Country: ES, TR, FR, UK, BE, NL, SE, DK, US, IT, IE, MZ, DE, CH,

127 Factors associated with specific health welfare and reproductive performance indicators in pig herds from five EU countries (Research paper; Chantziaras, 2018)

 

 

127 Research paper – Chantziaras – 2018 – Factors associated with specific health welfare and reproductive performance indicators in pig herds from five EU countries

Housing and welfare \ Weaning age and management; Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Production diseases are often the result of interactions between many factors. The focus of this study was to identify specific environment-related factors and to discuss their associations with health, welfare and reproductive performance in sows and piglets, in diverse systems using data from 130 farms from five EU countries. Eight parameters were selected from this data, four related to sow reproductive performance (litter index, replacement rate, repeat breeding (i.e. failure to breed after one mating), weaning to first mating interval) and the remaining four to litter / piglet health performance (piglets born alive per litter, piglets born dead per litter, preweaning mortality rate and weaned piglets per litter). Data analysis showed that factors related to applying good farm and health management, and optimal housing conditions were found to have a positive effect on various sow and piglet performance parameters.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587718303908; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.09.006
Country: BE; DE, DK; FI; UK

126 Biosecurity and animal disease management in organic and conventional Swedish dairy herds – A questionnaire study (Research paper; Emanuelson, 2018)

 

 

126 Research paper – Emanuelson – 2018 – Biosecurity and animal disease management in organic and conventional Swedish dairy herds_ a questionnaire study

Biosecurity \ Pathogen management
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
A questionnaire study on biosecurity and animal disease management activities was therefore conducted among Swedish farmers with organic and conventional dairy cattle herds. Herd characteristics of the two herd types were very similar, except that pipeline/tie-stall systems were less common in organic farms and that organic farmers had a higher education level than their conventional counterparts. Farmers of organic herds were more positive to policy actions to reduce the use and need for antibiotics, and they reported waiting longer before contacting a veterinarian for calves with diarrhoea and cows with subclinical mastitis. The results indicate that animal health is as important in conventionally managed dairy herds in Sweden as in organically managed herds.

Where to find the original material: https://actavetscand.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s13028-018-0376-6; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-018-0376-6
Country: SE

125 Dairy farmers’ perspectives on antibiotic use – A qualitative study (Research paper; Fischer, 2019)

 

 

125 Research paper – Fischer – 2019 – Dairy farmers’ perspectives on antibiotic use_ A qualitative study

AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance; Antibiotic use; Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary: An important step in limiting the development of antibiotic resistance is reducing use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. Farmers’ practices and reasoning around their antibiotic use do not reflect solely that farmer as an individual, and are guided by context (e.g., veterinary advice, peer pressure, regulation, and interactions with farm animals). This paper draws on the concept of the “good farmer,” to interpret findings from a study of Swedish dairy farms. Despite comparatively strict antibiotic use regulations in Sweden, the farmers do not report lack of access to antibiotics when needed. Structural limitations faced by farmers, rather than lack of information, impose constraints to further limiting antibiotic use in Sweden. Overall stricter and more uniform global regulations on antibiotic use in animal farming could be an effective measure for reducing antibiotic use.
Where to find the original material:

https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0022-0302%2819%2930006-2; https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15015

Country: Sweden

123 Risk Assessment as a Tool for Improving External Biosecurity at Farm Level Sweden (Tools & Checklists)

 

 

123 ToolsChecklists – Risk Assessment as a Tool for Improving External Biosecurity at Farm Level SWEDEN

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \External Biosecurity
Species targeted: Pigs; Dairy; Beef;
Summary: The study provide a tool for calculating the effects of different biosecurity measures and strategies on the individual farm level. A simple model was developed to assess the risk of disease introduction and the need for biosecurity measures in individual farms. To illustrate the general applicability of the tool, it was applied to theoretical examples of Swedish cattle and pig farms and diseases endemic in those animal species in the EU. The most important factors affecting the risk, and the effect of biosecurity measures were the frequency of between-farm contacts and prevalence of the disease. Model outputs could be used to justify prioritisation of measures or adapting contact patterns. The theoretic exercise of adjusting model inputs and comparing outputs may help veterinary advisors to understand farm-specific risks and motivate farmers to improve biosecurity in their individual farm, as it can be tailored to each farmer’s needs and preferences.
Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4515931/;
Country: Sweden;

122 A survey of visitors on Swedish livestock farms with reference to the spread of animal diseases (Research paper; Noremark, 2013)

 

 

122 Research paper – Noremark – 2013 – A survey of visitors on Swedish livestock farms with reference to the spread of animal diseases

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \External biosecurity
Species targeted: Pigs; Dairy; Sheep;
Age: Different for different species;
Summary: Visitors may contribute to the spread of contagious animal diseases, and knowledge about such contacts is essential for contingency planning. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and types of visitors on farms with cloven-hoofed animals in Sweden and to analyse whether there were differences in the number of visitors attributable to region, season, and type of herd. Veterinarians, AI-technicians, animal transporters and neighbours were often in direct contact with the animals or entered the stables and 8.8% of the repairmen were also in direct contact with animals, which was unexpected. The Swedish livestock farms survey concluded that the number of visitors that may be more likely to spread diseases between farms was associated with animal species and herd size.
Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3848732/; https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-9-184
Country: Sweden

 

121 Antimicrobial Stewardship in Food Animals in Canada_ Progress on Recommendations and Stakeholder Activities by National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council (Industry Innovation)

 

 

121 Industry Innovation – Antimicrobial Stewardship in Food Animals in Canada_ Progress on Recommendations and Stakeholder Activities by National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Summary: This report details the collaborative and joined up approach to the challenge of AMR and the support needed for the continuous development of antimicrobial stewardship in food production in Canada. This 2019 update reflects on the Canadian One Health strategy based around the pillars of Surveillance, Infection prevention and control, Stewardship and Research & Innovation and evaluates what progress has been made against the recommendations. The Council has galvanised many parts of the industry to act within their sectors as well as respond to changing policy around the manufacture, import, purchase and licensing of certain drugs. The report goes into detail about how each recommendation has been acted upon and the developments within each region of Canada.
Where to find the original material:

https://www.amstewardship.ca/antimicrobial-stewardship-in-food-animals-in-canada-progress-on-recommendations-and-stakeholder-activities/
Country: CA

116 Information note on antibiotic resistance and the responsible use of antibiotics in farm animals by RUMA (Industry Innovation)

 

 

116 Industry Innovation – INFORMATION NOTE ON ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AND THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN FARM ANIMALS by RUMA

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance Antibiotic use Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Summary:
The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) is an alliance of over 26 industry organisations representing every stage of food production from “farm to fork”. See www.ruma.org.uk/about/ruma-members for full list of current member organisations. RUMA aims to promote a co-ordinated and integrated approach to best practice in the use of medicines for farm animals. RUMA provides free guidance to farmers and vets on the responsible and effective use of medicines in agriculture. Responsible use of antibiotics on farms means using antibiotics as little as possible and as much as necessary. Regardless of the farming system, the focus for improved animal husbandry should include improved biosecurity practices and on-going vet and farmer training on disease prevention and the responsible use of antibiotics.

https://www.ruma.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/RUMA-NOTE-ON-AMR-AND-THE-RESPONSIBLE-USE-OF-ANTIBIOTICS-IN-FARM-ANIMALS-Final-updated-130420-1;
Country: UK

112 Effect of Antimicrobial Consumption and Production Type on Antibacterial Resistance in the Bovine Respiratory and Digestive Tract (Research paper; Catry, 2016)

 

 

112 Research paper – Catry – 2016 – Effect of Antimicrobial Consumption and Production Type on Antibacterial Resistance in the Bovine Respiratory and Digestive Tract

112 Research paper
Effect of Antimicrobial Consumption and Production Type on Antibacterial Resistance in the Bovine Respiratory and Digestive Tract
by Catry, B., Dewulf, J., Maes, D., Pardon, B., Callens, B., Vanrobaeys, M., Opsomer, G., de Kruif, A. and F. Haesebrouck. 2016 PLOS ONE 11: e0146488 (16p.)
In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Dairy; Beef;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary: The relationship between antimicrobial use and the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in cattle was investigated in this study. Three types of production system were investigated for 2 years, for a total of 25 herds: 10 dairy, 10 beef, and 5 veal herds. Two different types of bacteria were sampled for the monitoring of intestinal and nasal resistance. The use of antimicrobials was recorded on 15 of these farms (5 of each production type). Antimicrobial resistance rates for 12 antimicrobial agents demonstrated large differences between intensively reared veal calves and more extensively reared dairy and beef cattle. Data analysis showed a strong relation between intensity of antimicrobial use and increased resistance. Antimicrobials given in orally in low doses and antimicrobials used preventively as group medication promoted the rise of multi-drug resistance in bacteria from the digestive and respiratory system.

Country: BE