NFU to push for responsible antibiotic use across Europe

NFU Vice President Gwyn Jones has pledged to help Europe’s livestock industry tackle antimicrobial resistance after being elected to one of the European Union’s most influential animal health and welfare committees.

Mr Jones was voted in as Vice Chairman of the Copa Animal Health and Welfare Working Group which is made up of farmer representatives from all 27 EU Member States.

Following his election earlier today, Mr Jones said he was delighted with his new role on the Group which will work closely with the European Commission to shape future animal health and welfare policy. Appropriately, given today is European Antibiotic Awareness Day, he said antimicrobial resistance would be right at the top of his agenda.

“I am looking forward to working with Copa and my colleagues from across Europe to make progress on the EU’s animal health and welfare policy,” said Mr Jones.

“One of the biggest challenges ahead is antimicrobial resistance and the livestock industry across Europe needs to take its responsibilities seriously. It must be remembered that farmers need to use antibiotics to maintain Europe’s very high standards of animal health and welfare. However, we must also work proactively with the veterinary profession to make sure every European farmer is using antibiotics responsibly.

“But we must also put the issue into perspective. There is a far greater problem in human medicine with the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. We must therefore ensure the spotlight is not disproportionally focused on livestock farmers and that any new regulations are evidence-based and science-led,” he added.