New EU proposals on medicated feed for livestock welcomed
The adopted proposals are designed to improve the health and wellbeing of animals, while at the same time tackling antimicrobial resistance in the EU.
According to the Commission, a key aim of the proposal on veterinary products is to make more medicines available in the EU to treat and prevent diseases in animals.
Copa-Cogeca believes that responsible usage of antimicrobials, for the treatment of livestock, is a shared responsibility between veterinarians, farmers, the entire food chain, and public authorities.
Pekka Pesonen, secretary-general, Copa-Cocega, said: "It is in farmers and agri-cooperatives interest to continue to ensure that they use sustainable production techniques for their livestock and have healthy and productive animals.
"Maintaining and improving the animals’ health is one of the best ways to reduce the need to use antibiotic treatments. Good hygiene, proper feed, an appropriate animal environment and management, basic biosecurity schemes are at the top of farmers’ priorities and play a crucial role in disease prevention. But despite these measures, animals can still get sick and they need to be treated for both animal health and welfare reasons."
Copa-Cogeca said it was essential that appropriate therapy and use veterinary medicine was available for all species in all Member States, including for minor uses, and minor species, "for which a serious lack of veterinary medicines currently exists".
Tonio Borg, European Commissioner for Health, said: "These proposals both have animal health and welfare at their heart. However, they also represent a major step forward for public health as they introduce measures that contribute towards combatting the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), keeping antibiotics effective for people and animals alike."
