BVA responds to AMR report
"BVA believes such a disproportionate approach, without sound scientific risk-assessment, could have a detrimental effect on animal welfare."
The BVA has responded to a government report which suggests that certain classes of antibiotics should be withdrawn from veterinary use.
In a statement, BVA president Sean Wensley said that while the organisation welcomes the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Antibiotics report as part of a One Health approach, they are concerned that critical evidence has not been considered.
Sean says: "The UK’s Five Year AMR Strategy (co-authored by Defra and the Department of Health) clearly states that AMR in human medicine is primarily the result of antibiotic use in people, rather than animals. Yet the APPG report recommends that specific classes of antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, be withdrawn from veterinary use and reserved for human use only.
"BVA believes such a disproportionate approach, without sound scientific risk-assessment, could have a detrimental effect on animal welfare and the maintenance of high quality food production, and is unlikely to reduce resistance in humans. BVA’s responsible use guidance for the veterinary profession already advises that certain critically-important antibiotics should not be used prophylactically or as a first line treatment."
The National Office of Animal Health have also criticised the report, saying that it fails to recognise steps that have already been taken to prevent disease and minimise antibiotic use on farms - such as reducing the need for vaccination where available and by appropriate on-farm animal husbandry.
Sean added: "It is important that veterinary science and expertise be incorporated in to inter-professional action on AMR and BVA, as the UK’s leading representative body for the veterinary profession, would have appreciated the opportunity to feed into the report.
"We believe that responsible use, alongside improved biosecurity, further development of diagnostic tools, and better-coordinated research and surveillance will have far greater impact on AMR in humans and animals".
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. 
