The latest RUMA Targets Task Force 2 (TTF2) progress report has been released today, which summarises the fourth year of progress against the current set of antibiotic use targets which span 2021-2024.
The RUMA Agriculture TTF Report highlights that 2023 has been another year of great effort and commitment from across UK livestock sectors in the responsible use of antibiotics; national usage figures remain low and largely unchanged from last year and the long-term AMR surveillance work carried out by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) shows multi-drug resistance in animals is at its lowest level in a decade. While most sectors have achieved or surpassed their targets, a handful have seen increases in usage which has been in response to disease outbreaks, lack of availability of key vaccines, environmental impacts, and in some cases, a combination of all three.
The figures published in the latest UK-Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance (VARSS) Report, also released today alongside the TTF Report, show that antibiotic sales in food-producing animals remained at 25.7 mg/kg which maintains the 59% reduction since 2014. Meanwhile, sales of antibiotics which are the most critically important in human health only account for less than half a percent of total sales.
RUMA Chair, Cat McLaughlin, says: “These latest results from both the VARSS Report and in our RUMA Targets Task Force Report demonstrate that the collaborative, voluntary efforts over the past decade from the UK farmed animal, bird and fish sectors in addressing AMR are clearly paying off. The fact that AMR continues to decline with multi-drug resistance in animals at an all-time low should be applauded and should reassure everyone that the work on responsible use and stewardship is making a real and tangible difference. I have no doubt that as RUMA starts to plan for our third cycle of targets (TTF3) over the coming year, these latest results will undoubtedly give everyone the ongoing confidence and focus to build on what is already done and be as ambitious as possible as we drive forward our efforts to continue to tackle AMR and protect the efficacy of antibiotics; all with the common goal of helping to save the lives of animals and humans.
“In the words of Dame Sally Davies recently, who shared her thoughts with us on the work of the RUMA TTF, she stated that the work the farming sector has done to date is to be ‘congratulated’ and that, as expected, these efforts are coupled with trends in decreasing resistance in animals in the UK which has given us the proof they are linked – her words are certainly something to be very proud of.”
Abigail Seager, Chief Executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, says: “I welcome this important report highlighting the continued efforts of the UK’s animal health sectors, working closely with government, to implement effective antibiotic stewardship in animals to tackle the global issue of antimicrobial resistance. This year’s UK-VARSS results, especially the record lows in antimicrobial resistance in animals, are testament to the UK’s farmers’ and vets’ on-going commitment to improved and responsible antibiotic use. VMD welcome the progress being made by many individual sectors as highlighted in RUMA’s new Targets Task Force update report. I look forward to seeing the next iteration of industry targets in 2025, as they will play a key role in achieving the One Health outcomes of the UK’s new NAP on AMR (2024-2029).”
Cat continues: “There is however a reality that we are facing into that for some sectors, reductions in use have been significant over the past decade and there will be a point where a plateau in reduction levels is to be expected. I make no apology for stating once again that antibiotics remain a critical tool in a vet’s medicine ‘cabinet’ and, even with the best husbandry standards, animals can fall ill due to disease outbreaks or as a result of environmental impacts, which can mean antibiotics are necessary at times to treat animals and prevent unnecessary suffering. The UK has some of the highest health and welfare standards in farming globally, which we should all be very proud of, but that doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels.”
On the topic of data, Cat, continues: “ We know that data collection must remain a high priority, and it is pleasing to see the ongoing progress with Medicine Hub from AHDB. If we are to continue to lead the way in tackling AMR then we must do so from a solid foundation of evidence that helps us understand use and set appropriate targets.”
Vaccine availability has also been a topic of much focus in recent years with agricultural and companion animal sectors reporting shortages in vaccine availability, which in certain sectors is starting to curtail the veterinary response to some diseases. Cat adds: “This is a red flag in efforts to tackle AMR and we are concerned that there could be a resultant increase in antibiotic usage to resolve the consequences of failing to effectively prevent disease threats through vaccination – as a direct result of these shortages. This would be a significant backward step for both AMR and animal welfare and is something that we’re all desperate to avoid. We believe there is a need for political recognition of this risk and more collaboration to highlight the importance and availability of veterinary vaccines, both within the UK but accepting the global infrastructure of vaccine supply on which the UK is reliant. A reliable supply of vaccines is vital for the UK (and further afield), across our livestock keepers and companion animal owners and vets in their ongoing efforts to contribute positively to the One Health agenda and AMR mitigations. Everyone acknowledges that solving the veterinary vaccine supply issue will require a long-term strategy, but that needs to start with increasing awareness, recognition of the issue and the potential consequences, and taking positive action wherever possible to bring the right stakeholders together to address the matter. We will continue to raise this issue wherever we can to ensure vaccine availability is built into strategic priorities.”
Looking to the future, the next cycle of RUMA Targets (TTF3) will be developed over the coming year and will be launched in Autumn 2025. As the TTF is brought together to define this third cycle, evidence and insights gained over the last decade will be used to help further evolve the new set of targets. The new UK 5-year national action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029 and updated Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMRs) will also be important references to help frame and shape the journey, challenge and opportunities of the TTF3 strategy.
Download the latest RUMA Agriculture TTF here: RUMA-TTF-Report-FINAL-published-November-19-2024.pdf
Download the VARSS Report here: Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance 2023 – GOV.UK
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