The new strategy has outlined ways in which various agricultural sectors can continue to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Northern Ireland.
The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) said that farmers play a role in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, but much remains to be done, and the industry is still “unable to calm down.”
UFU President, Ivor Ferguson, said that “antimicrobial resistance is a global problem, and we all must ensure that antibiotics are used responsibly. This five-year strategy is the next positive step in ensuring that these life-saving, life-saving medicines remain effective. ”Northern Irish farmers also supported the decision to include AMR training as a standard in the Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (NIFQAS).
The industry has already witnessed the successful implementation of this training in the pig and dairy industries. Incorporating this into the Beef and Lamb Sector (NIFQAS) will result in another 12,000 farmers receiving the necessary training over the next three years.The UFU President said that farmers are pleased that the discussion around AMR has moved away from the recriminations between veterinary and human health.
“We all need to work together. The risk of antibiotic resistance is a medical, veterinary, environmental, food and business problem that we all share, ”said Ivor Ferguson.