New guidelines published on antibiotic usage
Over 25,000 people die every year as a result of AMR, costing more than €1.5 billion in healthcare expenses and productivity loss in Europe alone.
Guidelines on preventing the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in veterinary medicine have been published by the European Commission.
Published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the guidelines provide vets, farmers and EU member states' authorities with best practice and practical examples of what other EU countries are doing to promote the sensible use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine.
The EU Commission envisage that the guidelines will contribute to the control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human medicine.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious threat to both animal and human health and can be transferred from humans to animals and vice-versa through direct and indirect contact.
For this reason, experts believe that a 'one health' approach, based on collaboration and the uniting of human and veterinary medicine, is vital to tackle the issue at both an EU and global level.
Over 25,000 people die every year as a result of AMR, costing more than €1.5 billion in healthcare expenses and productivity loss in Europe alone.
These latest guidelines arise from a five-year EU action plan designed to address the increasing risks of AMR. The plan included 12 actions which were outlined in a progress report published earlier this year.
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. 
