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WHAT'S NEW!3 March 2012 - Press release from RUMA - Response to Soil Association Report “E. Coli Superbugs on farms and food” RUMA (the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance) is disappointed and saddened by the tone of the latest report and press release from the Soil Association on Antimicrobial Resistance. The Alliance believes that these documents do not support the views expressed in the foreword by Helen Browning, the Soil Association’s Chief Executive, that she wants a collaborative approach to tackle the issue of antimicrobial resistance. “RUMA welcomes constructive dialogue and suggestions to
promote the responsible use of all medicines across the whole farming
spectrum,” said RUMA Secretary General John FitzGerald. 9 December 2011 - RUMA's response to the Save Our Antibiotics Alliance's open letter of 7 December 2011 RUMA has sent the following response to the Save Our Antibiotics Alliance’s open letter: click here for more...... 29 November 2011- European Commission Action Plan against the rising threats from antimicrobial resistance RUMA (the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance) welcomes and strongly supports the European Commission Action Plan against the rising threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The European Commission has recommended a holistic
approach to the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance development in its
Communication to the European Parliament and the Council, published on 17
November 2011 22 November 2011 - RUMA Business/Marketing Plan 2011/12 RUMA is an alliance of animal health industry groups (see annex A for current membership and RUMA officers) with the aim of promoting a co-ordinated and integrated approach to best practice in the use of medicines. RUMA operates by providing best practice advice on the use of medicine to farmers and veterinary surgeons by publishing guidelines aimed at each of these groups and providing advice/comment on specific issues on its website It is important for RUMA to maintain a high profile
amongst farmers and vets so that they can avail themselves of the advice on
best practice use of medicines. 18 November 2011 - International conference on Responsible use of antibiotics in animals, 14-16 November, the Netherlands RUMA chairman Peter Allen spoke on 'The future of
antibiotics in animals - evolution or revolution'.
left: the audience at the conference; right RUMA chairman Peter Allen visits the EPRUMA stand 18 November 2011 - RUMA comment on the report: Case Study of a Health crisis RUMA believes the report Case Study of a Health Crisis by a coalition comprising Compassion in World Farming, the Soil Association and Sustain misses a great opportunity to help highlight the importance of both medical and veterinary practitioners working together to help preserve the efficacy of antimicrobials for both human and animal health. RUMA acknowledges the increased risk of antimicrobial resistance developing from the irresponsible use of antibiotics in human and animal medicine and believes that antibiotics should be used as little as often and as much as necessary. It already produces guidelines for farmers and vets on the responsible use of antibiotics on farms. The RUMA guidelines stress that antibiotics should not be used as a substitute for good husbandry practices whatever the farming system. Click here for more...... 6 June 2011 - RUMA statement on new strain of MRSA Scientists from the University of Cambridge Veterinary School have published a paper showing that a new strain of meticillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) has been discovered in milk from dairy cows and in people. 3 June 2011 - SCOPS revised leaflet on Blowfly Control SCOPS has warned that weather conditions in 2011 have led to an early and high challenge from Blowflies. To help sheep farmers plan and get the most from the products they choose, SCOPS have updated their leaflet on Blowfly control. This contains details of all the products available, the length of protection that can be expected if they are applied properly and withdrawal periods. See www.nationalsheep.org for more SCOPS information. 18 May 2011 - MEPs have called for the responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial medicines in food animals, in a resolution adopted by the European Parliament. They also called for more information to be given to vets and farmers to minimise the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals - a statement supported by RUMA. The NFU Brussels office commented that veterinary medicines should be used ‘as little as possible, but as much as necessary’ and added that the UK was already leading the way in Europe through its Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) initiative to help educate farmers. RUMA, at a UK level and EPRUMA, across the EU, promote the responsible use of all animal medicines, including antimicrobials. See here for RUMA's practical guidelines on the use of antimicrobials in pigs, poultry, cattle, sheep and fish. Guidelines are also available on the responsible use of vaccines. About RUMAThe Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) was established in November 1997 to promote the highest standards of food safety, animal health and animal welfare in British livestock farming. RUMA is a unique initiative involving organisations representing every stage of the food chain, facilitating transparency and traceability in the process. A unique initiative involving organisations representing every stage of the "farm to fork" process, RUMA aims to promote a co-ordinated and integrated approach to best practice in the use of medicines |
