NOAH: Antibiotic ban would compromise animal welfare
Access to antimicrobials is necessary to the safeguarding of animal health and welfare, says NOAH.
Restricting or banning the use of certain antimicrobials in veterinary medicine would compromise animal welfare and may even encourage resistance, NOAH has warned in a briefing paper to MPs.
The paper has been produced to inform MPs following NOAH's attendance at the recent All Party Parliamentary Group on Antibiotics meeting.
In the 12-page report, NOAH insists that access to a range of antimicrobials is necessary to vets and farmers in preserving animal health and welfare, and in fact, limiting the available classes of drugs may promote resistance by putting pressure on the remaining medicines.
Furthermore, the treatment of bacterial infections is required to meet both national and European animal welfare legislation, and is a professional obligation for vets.
NOAH warns that lobby groups who are opposed to the use of antimicrobials in farming risk undoing the good work of the majority of vets and farmers who use medicines responsibly.
Scientific evidence quoted in the paper suggests antibiotic resistance in humans is primarily due to usage in human medicine, rather than in the veterinary sector.
Authors say: “”Restricting the use of antibiotics in animals with the intention of stopping resistance in humans is based on a false hypothesis and may not help but it could compromise the vet's ability to deal with animal disease challenges and cause unnecessary welfare issues for both food production animals and companion animals.
“It could also lead to higher animal mortality and impact on food chain productivity.”
According to the authors, the best method for addressing resistance in the veterinary sector is a combination of responsible use (in terms of biosecurity, good housing and nutrition, appropriate vaccinations, herd health plans and correct use of antibiotics prescribed by a vet) and transparency of use phase.
Under transparency of use, the vet or farmer must supply data on antibiotic use by farm to the authorities. The intensity of use on each farm can then be compared to similar farms in the region, and the authorities can intervene if necessary.
The report states: “It would be an excellent outcome if we have agreement to put Responsible Use and Transparency at the Use Phase into action across the UK and indeed the whole EU at the earliest opportunity.”
NOAH says this would be more appropriate than introducing a blanket ban on usage.
View the full briefing paper here: www.noah.co.uk/papers
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
