Key points of the Declaration:

The Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, held at the UN and signed in September 2024, is a crucial document addressing one of the most urgent challenges for global health and development. For veterinarians and livestock producers, this declaration has significant implications for the way antimicrobials are managed in animal health and livestock production.

Disease prevention: All countries must have animal vaccination strategies with defined implementation plans by 2030, prioritising and funding infection prevention and control.

Evidence-based solutions: It is proposed to establish an “independent panel” to provide scientific evidence for addressing antimicrobial resistance within the “One Health” approach.

Access to animal health tools: Promoting the rapid and affordable supply of veterinary medicines, vaccines and diagnostics, improving the use of diagnostics and access to veterinary care.

Almost 5 million deaths per year due to antimicrobial resistance

The declaration recognises that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an urgent threat to global health affecting humans, animals and plants. It highlights that in 2019, 4.95 million deaths were associated with bacterial infections resistant to medicines, including 1.27 million deaths directly attributable to bacterial AMR.

For the livestock sector, it is important to note that AMR is projected to cause an 11% decline in livestock production in low-income countries by 2050. This underscores the economic importance of addressing this issue for the industry.

One Health Approach

The need for a “One Health” approach is emphasised, fostering cooperation between human, animal and plant health, as well as the environmental sector. This approach is particularly relevant for veterinarians and livestock producers, as it recognises the interconnection between animal and human health in the context of AMR.

Access and Responsible Use

The declaration stresses the need to ensure equitable and timely access to effective antimicrobials, vaccines and diagnostics in developing countries, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This is crucial for veterinarians working in these regions.

It urges the promotion of appropriate, prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials across all sectors, including animal health. This entails the need to improve antibiotic prescribing and use practices in livestock production.

“Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent threat requiring immediate action across all sectors, including the livestock sector.”

Specific Commitments for the Animal Sector

1. Reduction of Antimicrobial Use

• The aim is to significantly reduce, by 2030, the quantity of antimicrobials used globally in the agri-food system.
• This will be achieved by investing in animal health to prevent and control infections, reducing the need and inappropriate use of antimicrobials, and promoting alternatives to antimicrobials.

2. Prudent and Responsible Use

• A commitment is made to ensure that the use of antimicrobials in animals and agriculture is carried out in a prudent and responsible manner, in line with the Codex Alimentarius Antimicrobial Resistance Standards and the recommendations of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

3. Animal Vaccination Strategies

• By 2030, the aim is to define animal vaccination strategies with an implementation plan, taking into account the WOAH list of priority diseases for which vaccines could reduce antimicrobial use.

4. Investment in Animal Health Systems

• A commitment is made to invest in animal health systems to support equitable access to essential veterinary services, improve animal health and appropriate management practices to prevent infections.
• The timely supply of essential veterinary medicines, vaccines and affordable, quality diagnostics will be promoted.
• Veterinary oversight of antimicrobial use in animals at national level will be strengthened.

5. Addressing the Drivers of Inappropriate Use

• The factors leading to inappropriate use of antimicrobials in animals are recognised, including the lack of regulation and guidance on over-the-counter antimicrobial use, the lack of evidence-based treatment guidelines, the lack of affordable diagnostic testing, the lack of veterinary oversight, and substandard and falsified antimicrobial medicines.

6. Growth Promoters

• The impact of antimicrobial growth promoters on AMR is recognised, along with the particular need to phase out the use of medically important antimicrobials for this purpose.

“The ‘One Health‘ approach is fundamental to addressing ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE, recognising the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health.”

Research and Development

The declaration emphasises the need for further research and development in the field of AMR. For the veterinary sector, this could mean:

1. Development of new antimicrobials, vaccines and diagnostics for animal use.
2. Research into alternatives to antimicrobials in animal production.
3. Studies on the transmission of AMR between animals and humans.

It urges the exploration, encouragement and promotion of a range of innovative incentives and financing mechanisms for multisectoral health research and development to address AMR.

Surveillance and Monitoring

The importance of strengthening AMR surveillance systems is recognised. For the veterinary sector, this entails:

1. Strengthening national capacities for sustainable, sector-specific, integrated and interoperable surveillance systems for AMR and antimicrobial use.
2. Improving cross-sectoral data sharing at national, regional and global levels.
3. All countries are encouraged to report quality surveillance data on AMR and antimicrobial use by 2030, through existing global surveillance systems, including the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) and the Global Database for Antimicrobial Use in Animals (ANIMUSE).

Environmental Aspects

The declaration recognises that environmental factors contribute to the development and spread of AMR. For the livestock sector, this implies:

1. The need to address the discharge of antimicrobials and their metabolites into the environment from a wide range of sectors and services, including terrestrial and aquatic animal production.
2. Strengthening health systems through comprehensive primary and secondary AMR prevention strategies, such as stewardship programmes and environmental management of air, water, plants, soil, food and vectors.

Training and Capacity Building

Emphasis is placed on the need to strengthen national capacities by investing in the training, development, recruitment and retention of a competent and qualified workforce in human, animal and plant health and the environment. This is particularly relevant for veterinarians and livestock sector professionals.

Implications for Veterinarians and Livestock Producers

1. Prescribing Practices: Veterinarians will need to exercise greater care when prescribing antibiotics, ensuring they are only used when necessary and appropriate.
2. Diagnosis: The importance of accurate diagnosis prior to prescribing antibiotics is emphasised. This may require greater investment in diagnostic capabilities at veterinary clinics and farms.
3. Alternatives to Antibiotics: The search for and use of alternatives to antibiotics is encouraged wherever possible. These may include probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, among others.
4. Vaccination: Strong emphasis is placed on vaccination as a means of preventing disease and reducing the need for antibiotics. Veterinarians and livestock producers will need to consider broader and more strategic vaccination programmes.
5. Biosecurity: Prevention of infections through improved biosecurity practices will be crucial. This includes improvements in hygiene, animal handling and husbandry practices.
6. Manure Management: Manure treatment is specifically mentioned, implying that livestock producers will need to pay greater attention to how they handle and treat manure to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.
7. Records and Monitoring: A greater need to maintain detailed records of antibiotic use and to participate in monitoring programmes is expected.
8. Continuing Education: Veterinarians and livestock producers will need to keep abreast of the latest research and guidelines related to AMR.
9. Cross-sectoral Collaboration: Greater collaboration between veterinarians, human physicians and environmental professionals is encouraged under the “One Health” approach.
10. Innovation: Participation in research and innovation to develop new solutions for combating AMR in the livestock sector is promoted.

“Veterinarians and livestock producers have a crucial role to play in reducing antimicrobial use and promoting responsible practices in animal production.”

Conclusion: 140 countries publicly acknowledge the problem and the need for immediate action.

This Political Declaration represents a global call to action to address the threat of AMR. For veterinarians and livestock producers, it implies a need for significant change in current antimicrobial use practices in animal production. A more prudent and responsible approach to antibiotic use will be required, along with greater investment in disease prevention and active participation in surveillance and monitoring efforts.

The successful implementation of these measures will not only help to combat AMR at a global level, but will also contribute to improving animal health, livestock productivity and food security in the long term. Veterinarians and livestock producers have a crucial role to play in this global effort, and their commitment and action will be fundamental to achieving the objectives set out in this declaration.

For further information:

-. UNITED NATIONS 9 Sep 2024: “Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance“

-. FAO: “Prudent and efficient use of antimicrobials in pigs and poultry“