A new guidance document on the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals has been launched the European Platform for the Responsible Use of Medicines in Animals (EPRUMA), highlighting the organisation’s commitment to promoting a holistic approach to disease prevention and control.
The new document, which is titled Best-practice framework for the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals – Reaching for the next level, was released to coincide with EPRUMA’s 10th anniversary in a move to set a fresh guidance platform for the next decade.
“The document combines both a holistic and a specific approach to facilitate optimisation of animal health at farm level,” said EPRUMA. “It gives guidance on indoor and free-range production, housing, biosecurity, etc. and includes a decision tree on the use of veterinary antibiotics in food-producing animals.”
The fact that EPRUMA’s 10 core partners and four associate partners include Europe’s main farming, feed, animal health and veterinary bodies, adds weight to this latest document, the launch of which took place during a gathering in Brussels of representatives from the European Commission DG SANTE, European Parliament, representatives from eight EU Member States, and a wide range of stakeholders from the animal health and the food supply chain.
“Responsible use, as promoted by EPRUMA, is based on a holistic approach of minimising disease,” commented the launch event host, UK MEP Julie Girling. “It encompasses enhancing knowledge on disease prevention, animal health and welfare, and husbandry practices, and crystallises the firm commitment (to this issue) from key stakeholders.”
EPRUMA’s associate partner in the UK is RUMA (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance).