In english
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global problem that affects both people and animals. It does not increase the spread of infection but it makes it more difficult – and in some cases, impossible – to treat the sick. Today, antibiotics save lives and it is crucial that we do not jeopardise this opportunity.
Intensive farming combined with trading and transporting live animals increases the risk of spreading infection among animals. This has meant that at many production facilities, antibiotic treatments have been routinely used on all stock as a preventive measure. This gives a greater risk of antibiotic resistance.
Healthy animals means animals that do not need to be treated with antibiotics. This means in turn a lower risk of antibiotic resistant bacteria growing and spreading. This is beneficial to human and animal health. However, sick animals must naturally be treated and in such cases antibiotics shall only be used as prescribed by a veterinary surgeon, and only after other options have been considered. Antibiotics must be used wisely in animal husbandry.
At negotiations with new suppliers and upon renegotiations with existing suppliers, specific purchasing requirements will be made regarding the use of antibiotics:
- Antibiotics shall not be used for growth promotion purposes.
- Antibiotics may only be used when prescribed by a veterinary surgeon.
- Detailed documentation relating to all use of antibiotics, including via feed and water, shall be available. The veterinary surgeon in charge shall regularly review and sign the documentation.
- If antibiotics are used repeatedly for all animals in a certain age category, the reasons for this shall be documented, an investigation shall be performed by a veterinary surgeon and a plan of action shall be drafted and applied to counteract health problems.
- Colistin, fluoroquinolones and third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins - antibiotics that are particularly important for human care, must only be used when a veterinarian deems that no other treatment options are effective.
- A health plan with procedures for preventive healthcare and reduced spread of infection shall be available and complied with. The plan shall focus on strategically preventive animal health initiatives, including infectious disease control, and shall cover as a minimum:
- Need for quarantine, vaccinations, and other measures for good health.
- Routines for infection control for visitors and for import and export of animals to/from the herd/facility.
- Routines that minimize the spread of infection when introducing new animals and animal groups.
- Routines for animal flows and infection control within the herd/facility.
- Routines for cleaning and disinfecting the facility.
- Routines for dealing with recurring health problems in different age groups.
- Routines to actively reduce the need for antibiotics among young individuals by reducing stress.
- Routines for regularly, periodically or annually, analyzing the facility's use of antibiotics and updating the health plan based on these results.
- Animals must not be mutilated because of inadequate animal husbandry.
- Animals must be kept in a way that gives them space to move freely and be able to rest in a way that is suitable for them.
We will also perform follow-ups and audits.
