Antimicrobial Use (AMU)
Antimicrobials
Antimicrobials are natural or synthetic substances that can kill or block the growth of microorganisms.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are a type of antimicrobial used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
Pork producers are proud to raise hogs to give consumers a wholesome, nutritious and affordable product. Farmers care for their animals and need access to veterinary pharmaceuticals that work to ensure their welfare. Farmers also care about their families and staff, they understand that responsible use of antimicrobials is key to mitigate the development of antimicrobial resistance.
Farmers are transitioning into a more controlled use of antibiotics. The PigSAFE/PigCARE program established by the Canadian Pork Council, promotes the use of good husbandry and management practices, and not antimicrobial use, as a first line of action against diseases. Setting up good production systems that include among others, vaccination, proper disinfection techniques, and barn design focus on animal health and welfare, is helping to reduce the use of antibiotics. Through the PigSAFE/PigCARE program producers also follow best practices in antimicrobial use, working closely with veterinarians and keeping records on the medication used.
In their commitment to the responsible use of antimicrobials, producers are supportive of Health Canada’s regulatory and policy changes to strengthen oversight of veterinary drugs. In 2018, the revised PigSAFE and PigCARE programs were launched to take Health Canada’s 2017 regulatory and policy changes into account. In fact, the Vaccine and Drug Use Policy of the CPC, which aligns with the changes, provides producers with the tools to ensure the proper use of antimicrobials on their animals, maintaining their effectiveness and ensuring a safe food supply.
Through the partnership of the provincial associations and Swine Innovation Pork, pork producers support research and the development of new technologies, investing their money in research to learn how to better care for their herd and decrease the use of antibiotics.
CPC Actions
- Biosecurity
- Vaccine and Drug Use Policy
- The CPC is chairing the Canadian Animal Feed and Health Products Engagement Committee (CAFHPEC). Reporting to the Director General of Health Canada’s VDD and CFIA’s Executive Director of the Animal Health Directorate, the CAFHPEC provides a venue for information sharing and ideas exchange between Government, regulated parties and stakeholders on matters relating to livestock feed and veterinary products such as drugs, biologics and veterinary health products.
- Canadian Global Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (CgFARAD), The CPC sits on the CgFARAD Advisory Board, participating in board governance and organizational guidance
- Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS) AMU/AMR Network. The CAHSS Antimicrobial Use and Resistance Network provides a forum for governments and industry stakeholders to share information and work collaboratively on safeguarding the effectiveness of antimicrobials.
- The CPC has been actively involved with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association SAVI project and is assisting with the use of swine feed prescription data to better help understand how the sector can interface with the Veterinary Client Patient Relationship dynamic through the lens of antimicrobial stewardship.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes (e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) evolve in ways that reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of antimicrobial medicines (e.g. antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics) to treat infections by killing or slowing microbial growth.
When microbes are exposed to antimicrobials, they adapt and become more resistant. This contributes to increased AMR in humans, animals, crops, and in the environment (e.g. water, soil) (2) through exposure to waste water, consumer products and animal manure. There are also many social and environmental factors that contribute to rising rates of AMR including poor hygiene, inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, lack of awareness and education about AMR and appropriate antimicrobial use (AMU), insufficient access to health services, overcrowded housing conditions and a lack of clean water.
The global community is mobilizing through international initiatives to protect human and animal health, conserve antimicrobial medicines and develop innovative responses to mitigate the risk of AMR before the situation worsens. Nations around the world are working together to find ways to share their experiences, learn from each other, partner on initiatives and pool resources.
In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan (GAP) on AMR was endorsed at the World Health Assembly by Member States and acknowledged by heads of state and government at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The global community is acting under the leadership of the WHO, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Both the OIE and FAO have passed resolutions encouraging Member States to combat AMR and to promote prudent use of antimicrobials in animals and agriculture.
The Government of Canada is actively engaged in the fight on AMR and has developed a Federal Framework grounded in a One Health Approach, recognizing the connection between humans, animals and the environment. This Pan-Canadian Framework for Action aims to strengthen Canada’s ability to combat the risk of AMR in a coordinated, multisectoral and effective manner.(2)
Provinces and territories are undertaking multiple initiatives to combat AMR, including surveillance, public and health professional awareness raising and hospital-based programs to reduce antibiotic use, and immunization programs to prevent and control infections and the spread of infectious diseases. Likewise, stakeholder organizations such as the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada and other health sector non-governmental organizations have established plans and initiatives to support the appropriate use of antibiotics in human and animal health settings. The Framework serves as a starting point from which to build a broader, pan-Canadian approach.
References
- World Health Organization. Antimicrobial Resistance: Global Report on Surveillance 2014. [Internet] Geneva: WHO; 2014. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/112642/1/9789241564748_eng.pdf?ua=1
- World Health Organization. Briefing Note: AMR: An Emerging Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Issue.[Internet] Geneva: WHO; 2014. Available from: who.int/water_sanitation_health/emerging/AMR_briefing_note.pdf
- Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use: A Pan-Canadian Framework for Action. [Internet] Public Health Agency of Canada, 2017.
