The British Poultry Council’s welcome for the Government positive response to the O’Neill Report on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) includes an expression of hope that the poultry industry’s “ground-breaking” work on the issue will now be taken further by other livestock sectors.
The BPC said it is pleased to see the Government “pick up the baton” so firmly on this crucial issue and to be supporting the poultry meat sector in its work to reduce antibiotic use.
The council also declared its willingness to share its findings on AMR, stating that it is eager to work with Defra and the VMD, as the lead government agencies, to help drive forward the work that has already begun.
“The work that the poultry meat industry has been doing since 2012 in this field has been groundbreaking,” said BPC technical manager, Máire Burnett. “But now we need the help of Government and other livestock sectors to take it further.”
Having already achieved a 44% reduction in use across all classes of antibiotics since 2012, added BPC, the poultry industry is looking to Government to help British businesses to keep on feeding the nation with wholesome, nutritious and affordable food.
“We recognise this is a global issue and one that needs addressing in both veterinary and human medicine,” said Mrs Burnett. “Use of antibiotics to alleviate pain and suffering is crucial, including access to some critically important antibiotics as a last line of defence. It’s good that the UK is taking the lead but other nations must also look to take up the recommendations in the report so the UK is not at a disadvantage.”
