13/04/2011

A debate yesterday in the Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) committee on the European Parliament resolution regarding antimicrobial resistance saw veterinary advocates scramble to defend freedoms the profession currently enjoys.

Before the debate a cross-party amendment was tabled that “Invites the member States to consider restricting veterinarians from, in non-acute cases, selling veterinary medicines directly to farmers and other animal owners, thus reducing the incentive to prescribe more antimicrobials than needed.” The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) voiced “grave concern” over the amendment and lobbied committee members in the week leading up to the debate.

The resolution, drafted by Agriculture Committee Chair Paolo de Castro, called for “better research and analysis of the impact and more prudent use of antimicrobials in animals.” De Castro and the Committee expressed concern that today almost half of the antibiotics in Europe are prescribed for animals. They therefore contended that the overuse of antimicrobials should be considered a factor in the increasing problem of resistance to antibiotics. De Castro’s resolution stated that overuse of antibiotics poses a serious threat to the European livestock sector; claiming antibiotics are not only used to treat animals, but also for disease prevention and growth promotion.

Furthermore, the resolution held that the food chain is emerging as an important vector for transmitting AMR as antibiotic residue in meat can increase a consumer's resistance to antibiotics. The resolution called for the following measures to address members’ concerns:

proper data collection and analysis of sales and use of antibiotics in animals

research into antimicrobial-free animal production, for example vaccination, bio security, breeding for resistance

regular systematic surveillance and monitoring of AMR in food producing animals and pets

more prudent use of antimicrobials in animals allied with better training and information for vet and farmers on how to minimise the development of AMR

However, FVE president Walter Winding was deeply sceptical of the resolution. Winding said, “Experience has shown that in Member states where veterinarians are not allowed to sell veterinary medicines, this did not lead to a lower frequency of antimicrobial resistance. Veterinarians receive extensive training in the field of medicines, and are in daily contact with farmers and animal owners. They are at the forefront when it comes to promoting responsible use of antimicrobials and raising awareness about antimicrobial resistance.”

A co-ordinated lobby by veterinary organisations successfully countered the move and the AGRI committee rejected the resolution yesterday. The lobbyists argued that, as Winding warned, available evidence shows that restricting vets from selling medicines would not lead to a decrease in the use or sale of antimicrobials and could adversely affect vets’ ability to effectively treat livestock. The FVE also pointed out that the ability of vets to prescribe and dispense medicines is already well regulated in the UK.

Welcoming the decision, Harvey Locke, president of the British Veterniary Association (BVA) reiterated the arguments of the FVE. Locke welcomed the decision, saying, “Restricting the ability of vets to supply medicines would have little benefit but would cause significant harm to animal health and welfare. This is another stark wake-up call for members of our profession across the EU and beyond that we must not only take action on antimicrobial resistance, but we must be seen to be taking action.”