November 23, 2020

 

FAO to launch community driving efforts to control antimicrobial resistance

 

 

On November 23, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization will launch a new community of behaviour change practitioners to design solutions that make it easier for people to use antimicrobials appropriately and prevent disease effectively.

 

Combining a wealth of insights from farmers and other food chain actors, veterinarians, epidemiologists, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) experts and behavioural scientists, the community will work together to nudge behaviours at both farm and policy level and hence, help slow down the spread of AMR.

 

Actions for farmers in the fight against AMR includes:

 

- Thoroughly washing of hands, shoes and clothing before and after contact with animals;

 

- Keep animals healthy. Healthy animals need fewer antimicrobials, which means lower treatment costs, improved food and livelihood security and fewer animal deaths;

 

- Keep animal facilities clean;

 

- Implement appropriate biosecurity measures;

 

- Practice "all-in and all-out" procedures to reduce the risk of new animals infecting the animals already present;

 

- Keep animal feed dry and stored safely away from rodents, birds, insects and other animals that can carry bacteria or other germs;

 

- Avoid stress for animals;

 

- Ensure good nutrition and clean water for animals;

 

- Vaccination - Asking a veterinary expert to help administer important vaccines at the right times;

 

- Seek animal health professional advice for the correct diagnosis and treatment.

 

- FAO