RUMA/VMD Conference – Responsible Use: Ideas into Action

RUMA Conference

The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) is delighted to be hosting today with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) the first joint conference on the responsible use of medicines in animals. It is an excellent example of industry and government working together to help veterinarians and farmers use medicines responsibly and to tackle the serious health risks caused by antibiotic resistance.

John FitzGerald, RUMA General Secretary, said “there has been much mention of responsible medicine use in both human and animal sectors and this One Health Conference aims to take this a stage further by investigating how we can turn “Ideas into Action”.

“With more than 150 delegates and speakers there has been good interest in the conference in which high profile speakers from both the human and animal sectors and the delegates will look more at the practical issues of responsible use and not just the related science.   The aim will be to stimulate discussion so that we can engage with and learn from each other as well as contribute to the Conference outcomes.”

RUMA and the VMD will issue a joint communication following the conference to highlight its key messages.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. RUMA is an alliance of 24 organisations representing every stage of the “farm to fork” process which aims to promote a co-ordinated and integrated approach to best practice in the use of medicines on farm.  For further information contact RUMA Secretary General John FitzGerald (rumasec@btinternet.com) or see the RUMA website www.ruma.org.uk

2. VMD (an Executive Agency of Defra) is the UK regulator of veterinary medicines assuring their safety, quality and effectiveness. For further information about the VMD contact Matthew Isted at m.isted@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk or search for the VMD on www.gov.uk.

3. RUMA and the VMD are very grateful for the generous support from Sainsbury’s who have provided the venue and all catering free of charge.