Animal Health and Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week
The use of antimicrobials in the agriculture sector is coming under increasing scrutiny in light of the very real public health threat of antimicrobial resistance. The 2021 DAFM Animal Health Awareness Week will take place in conjunction with World Antimicrobial Awareness Week from Nov 18th to 24th
Antimicrobials have saved millions of lives since they were first discovered, but their overuse and misuse in both humans and animals means that there are already diseases in certain parts of the world that have no effective antibiotic treatment.
The use of antimicrobials in the agriculture sector is coming under increasing scrutiny in light of the very real public health threat of antimicrobial resistance. Such resistance primarily impacts on human health, but any use of antimicrobials in either human or animal health will drive the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria.
Sustainability for the Future
The DAFM Animal Health and Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week is a week of interesting webinars and educational podcasts under the theme of ‘Sustainability for the Future’. The two primary aims of the week are to raise awareness within the agrifood industry of
- the importance of optimal animal health in the prompt detection of exotic disease outbreaks so that they can be brought under control quickly, and
- the threat to public and animal health of antimicrobial resistance, and the importance of prudent antimicrobial use.
During this week, the DAFM is organizing a range of activities to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring high standards of animal health in order to prevent and control disease for the primary benefit of farmers, but also of the wider society, as well as addressing the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
The week highlights the importance and value of taking a proactive approach to the protection of animal and public health, in consultation with veterinary practitioners and other agricultural advisors.
Find out more about Animal Health and Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week here on the DAFM website
DAFM Programme of events for Animal Health and Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week.
Teagasc Podcasts for Animal Health Awareness Week
In support of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week five podcasts during the week commencing November 15th will focus on animal health. Check out these podcasts here
AMR
The Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) section of the Teagasc website has comprehensive information on antimicrobial resistance including: