Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) are the latest organisations to join the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) Alliance.
RUMA chairman Gwyn Jones said the involvement in RUMA of the two meat assurance organisations – alongside that of existing members the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) and the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) – strengthens the UK’s cohesive and voluntary approach to antibiotic stewardship which has helped to deliver overall reductions of 40% in farm antibiotic sales so far.
Mr Jones said: “While HCC, QMS, NFUS and UFU have been actively involved in welfare and antibiotic stewardship groups for some time, being part of RUMA will ensure greater future alignment.
“RUMA now has deep representation in all parts of the UK, at all stages of the supply chain and in every main livestock sector, which will be essential in delivering the RUMA Targets Task Force 2020 targets for antibiotic use.
“In turn, meeting these will help towards achieving the UK Government’s 5-year action plan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the supporting measures already in place in Scotland and recently announced in both Wales and Northern Ireland.”
