FAO study characterises antimicrobial use practices in the livestock sector

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major global threat to human, animal, plant and environmental health, and as such is a prime example of a One Health issue. Microorganisms that cause infectious diseases, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoan parasites, that are not killed or inhibited by antimicrobial drugs are called AMR. A major contributing factor to this phenomenon is the inappropriate use of antimicrobials, so understanding and improving antimicrobial use practices is crucial across all sectors.

In order to combat AMR, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) implemented a study on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in line with the objectives of the AMR Action Plan and the Global Action Plan on AMR. The study, conducted between 2020 and 2023, revealed antimicrobial use practices and AMR awareness in the livestock sector in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo¹Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tajikistan and Ukraine.

To obtain a comprehensive overview of antimicrobial use in livestock, 500 to 700 face-to-face interviews were conducted for each study with farmers from priority livestock production systems, field veterinarians, veterinary pharmacists, and feed mill operators. Twelve detailed study reports are in preparation and will be published, once approved at the national level, as part of the newly established FAO Understanding Antimicrobial Use in Food and Agriculture series. These reports are the first of their kind to provide a comprehensive overview of antimicrobial use in the livestock sector in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. They describe the sources of antibiotics, the main patterns of use (such as common routes of administration; purpose of use; and use in different age groups), the main indications for antibiotic treatment, drugs used in different animal species, antibiotic handling, and awareness of AMR.

Some of the key issues identified include the purchase of antibiotics without a prescription, the use of antibiotics without veterinary supervision, the use of antibiotics for growth promotion, and misunderstandings about the concept of AMR and the prudent use of antimicrobials. In addition, the research revealed some gaps in farmers’ hygiene and biosecurity practices that may increase the risk of disease introduction and spread on their farms, leading to an increased need for antimicrobial treatments. After analysing the research results, FAO organised regional and national multi-stakeholder consultations to discuss the results with key national actors and jointly explore potential actions for improvement.

Information obtained from the surveys is crucial for shaping future awareness-raising campaigns, developing targeted training programmes and informing policy changes aimed at promoting responsible use of antimicrobials and reducing the spread of AMR in the food and agricultural sectors.

FAO Dialogue on AMR Dissemination

Want to learn more about the surveys and key findings? Don’t miss the online FAO Knowledge Dissemination Dialogue on AMR on 11 July 2024 at 15:00 CEST! Simply click on the link below to register for the webinar and learn more about antimicrobial use practices in the livestock sector!

¹References to Kosovo should be understood in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).