In a sector-wide strategy to address antibiotic resistance by first reducing the occasions on which antibiotics are needed for livestock and pets, AnimalhealthEurope members have joined a multi-billion euro pledge to support the development of vaccines, diagnostics and other measures to protect animals from disease.

The pledge for 25 Global Actions by 2025 is part of a global Roadmap to Reducing the Need for Antibiotics initiated by HealthforAnimals, which sets out three approaches to reduce the need for antibiotics in animals: disease prevention and control; earlier detection of illness; and fast, accurate treatment.

Roxane Feller, AnimalhealthEurope Secretary General commented, “In Europe coordinated efforts on awareness-raising around antibiotic resistance, and improving disease prevention and animal health management have made notable progress in reducing the need to use antibiotics in animals. Our pledge for further targeted actions will serve to boost such efforts at a global level.”

“Antibiotics remain the only way to treat bacterial disease, so we cannot simply reduce antibiotic use without first improving animal health. As such, our pledge includes actions to boost veterinary training in preventive care and responsible use of medicine. As our stewards of animal health, the veterinarian’s responsibility in the AMR challenge is as critical as that of doctors and human healthcare workers. It is vital that veterinarians have access to the latest tools, knowledge and products that improve animal health and lower the risk of bacterial disease.”

“But the animal health sector cannot reduce the need for antibiotics alone. Global support from international and regional organisations in improving prevention, detection and treatment of animal disease is needed. And promoting the deployment of the broader toolbox of animal health solutions in all parts of the world, is essential to reduce the need for antibiotics in animals,” Feller added.

The pledge pinpoints 2025 for the delivery of 25 clear, measurable global actions to improve the three areas of our vision – prevention, detection and treatment – including:

• Train more than 100,000 vets in responsible use of medicines and invest at least $5 million (€4.5 million) in veterinary education scholarships and grants;
• Invest at least $10 billion (€9.1 billion) in research and development, and deliver at least 100 new vaccines and 20 new diagnostics tools;
• Conduct an AMR risk analysis for every new antibiotic brought to market;
• Strengthen communications on benefits of biosecurity, in-feed supplements, vaccinations, and products that support good animal health;
• Participate in responsible use coalitions in major markets, such as the European Platform for the Responsible Use of Medicines in Animals (EPRUMA)

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For further information please contact: Clare Carlisle, Senior Communications Manager, c.carlisle@animalhealtheurope.eu – +32 474 388711

Notes for Editors:

• AnimalhealthEurope represents 13 of Europe’s leading manufacturers of animal medicines and 20 national associations. Covering 90% of the European Market, the animal health industry enables more than 293,000 direct and indirect jobs (incl. veterinarians), ensures that over a billion animals in Europe – both livestock and companion animals – stay healthy, while providing solutions for 10 million livestock farmers and 80 million pet-owning households across Europe.
• The full HealthforAnimals Roadmap to Reducing the Need for Antibiotics can be viewed online. AnimalhealthEurope is a member of this global animal medicines association which represents manufacturers of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and other animal health products throughout the world.

Download the Pledge of 25 Actions

Download the press release