EPRUMA at the International Conference on Responsible Use

• November 17, 2011

• EPRUMA participated in the 'International Conference on Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Animals', held in Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands, on 14-16 November 2011. The conference gathered more than 200 delegates from a wide range of stakeholders from 23 countries.

  At the event veterinarians, farmers, regulators, authorities, academics and industry exchanged views on the future path regarding the responsible use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine. The conference conclusions included the following points:

  • There is consensus on many issues and all stakeholders need to work together while respecting and accepting the diverse reality across regions;
  • Despite the complexity of the matters, the current knowledge base on the use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine allows for adequate decision-making and implementation;
  • The availability of veterinary medicines, including antibiotics, differs from region to region; their future availability should be ensured to be able to treat animals;
  • Educating veterinarians and farmers is critical to enhance responsible use and reach out to a wider public; the position of the veterinarian needs to be strengthened;
  • Decisions regarding veterinary medicines, including antibiotics, should be science based, for which communication, dialogue and trust are paramount;
  • All stakeholders have the responsibility to raise awareness and acceptance of responsible use of veterinary antibiotics to a wider audience.

  The conference encouraged all EU Member States to emulate the RUMA initiative (UK) by establishing national Responsible Use partnerships and by producing detailed species specific guidelines for use by veterinarians and farmers. Such an initiative could be based on the EPRUMA framework document.

  It is inspiring to see that RUMA-style initiatives are happening across the EU, for example in Belgium (AMCRA) and Spain (under the Vet+I partnership).

  See further details on the conference website.

  

• Back