Antimicrobial stewardship in action – protecting farms and futures

Antimicrobials are vital in human, animal, and plant medicine. They are substances that kill or suppress the growth of microorganisms. Antibiotics, for example, are specific antimicrobials that fight bacterial infections. Antimicrobial resistance means that microorganisms fail to respond to antimicrobial drugs. This has a huge impact on human and animal health as infections may become more difficult, or even impossible, to treat.

According to the World Health Organization, misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, for example giving antibiotics when there is no diagnosed disease or condition, are a driving cause for antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial stewardship aims to ensure responsible and appropriate use of antimicrobials, such as using them only when required, as advised by a veterinarian, within their expiry date, and disposing of expired antimicrobials appropriately. But not only that. It also aims to reduce the need for antimicrobials without compromising animal health and welfare by preventing disease, not just treating it.

Disease prevention is key. Not only through ensuring that animals are fed well to support their immune system, but by reducing stress so animals are more resilient, and through effective animal health care, veterinary support, effective biosecurity, and good management practices.

These include measures such as vaccinations for relevant diseases, breeding disease-resistant animals (where such breeding does not cause animal welfare problems), and caring for animals well by undertaking regular disease checks for early detection, training staff to become skilled in detecting signs of disease, using proactive care measures, and judiciously recording disease incidence, treatments, and outcomes.

Biosecurity measures, such as monitoring the health status of animals coming onto the farm and their management on arrival (e.g. quarantine, vaccinations), limiting visitors on farm and ensuring appropriate hygiene measures (such as boot and vehicle washes, personal protective equipment), implementing and maintaining pest control programmes, and appropriate disposal of animal carcasses, all help to reduce the spread of disease.

Regular review of antimicrobial use and disease prevention and control measures should also be undertaken to ensure their effectiveness.

The New Zealand Veterinary Association has published guidelines for the judicious use of antimicrobials, and has set a goal for New Zealand to be free from reliance on antibiotics for the maintenance of health and welfare of animals by 2030.

SPCA recognises the seriousness of antimicrobial resistance and the need to reduce the reliance on antimicrobials.

SPCA Certified Standards for farmed animals reflect this by requiring that antibiotics only be used when an animal is sick and as advised by a veterinarian. In addition, the standards require farm members to develop and implement an animal health and biosecurity plan, with a strong recommendation that farmers develop an antimicrobial stewardship plan with their veterinarian.