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GROWING FORWARD 2
Antimicrobial Resistance
VETERINARIANS PART OF SOLUTION TO HEALTH THREAT
Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide threat
and veterinarians are recognized as part of
the solution.
The conversation on antimicrobial resistance
is not new. Antimicrobial resistance is an
ongoing and real threat to public and animal
health. This fact has repeatedly made
headlines around the world.
Veterinarians, physicians and pharmacists
- as prescribers and/or dispensers of
antimicrobial pharmaceuticals - have
significant opportunities in educating the
public, shaping use, and insuring safe
practices.
The Government of Canada sees
antimicrobial resistance as a serious and
growing global public health threat. The
federal framework for action seeks real
change in antimicrobial drug use - to be more
responsible and more prudent.
Veterinarians, in their role and commitment
to the societal good, are being called on to
be good stewards. Included in this is the
responsibility that, by 2018, veterinarians
will prescribe every antimicrobial available
to animal owners. Further, where possible,
veterinarians are being asked, where
possible, to avoid prescribing antimicrobials
considered medically important to human
health care.
Multiple initiatives are underway to manage
the changes ahead.
• strengthening of surveillance systems
• advocating for the responsible use of
antimicrobials through the development of
guidelines
• recognizing the use of natural veterinary
products
• encouraging farm practices that reduce the
need for antimicrobials
• collaborating across sectors and
internationally in policy, research and
innovation
The College has been proactively engaging
the veterinary profession in this important
conversation. Veterinarians are called to
access the resources provided by the
College and the Canadian Veterinary Medical
Association to stay informed and be prepared.
This call is a societal duty.
More Information
Further information on antimicrobial
resistance is available.
Government of Canada - Antimicrobial
Resistance
Prudent use of Medically-Important
Antimicrobials in Animals
Veterinary Drugs Directorate
A Federal Framework for Action
College of Veterinarians of Ontario - One
Health
www.cvo.org/One-Health
Growing Forward 2 Project Update:
CHAMPIONING VETERINARY STEWARDSHIP IN THE USE OF
ANTIMICROBIALS IN FOOD PRODUCING ANIMALS IN ONTARIO
The College is pleased to report on the
progress of its current Growing Forward
2 project. The project is aimed at defining
specific actions that support veterinary
stewardship in the use of antimicrobials in
food-producing animals in Ontario. enthusiastically to the opportunity to identify
activities that would most likely bring lasting
and meaningful positive change in practice.
As a result, a second opportunity to seek
funding to further advance veterinary
leadership and stewardship made sense.
In 2015, the College successfully completed
its first project focused on understanding the
antimicrobial prescribing practices of the
veterinary profession in food animal medicine. With the support of Growing Forward 2
cost-share funding in the spring of 2016, the
profession, by consensus, has taken over 100
suggested objectives and narrowed them to
the top six. No small feat!
The veterinary profession, across
food-producing animals, responded
At a forum held in Guelph in February,
veterinarians, producers and other key
stakeholders (74 individuals in total)
discussed the proposed tactics and identified
possible lead organizations to help move
these six objectives forward.
Veterinarians practising in food animal
medicine will have a further opportunity
to comment on this work during a public
consultation to be held this spring. Watch for
this chance to continue to shape veterinary
stewardship on this important topic - the
responsible use of antimicrobials in animals.
This project was funded in part through Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agricultural Adaptation
Council assists in the delivery of the GF2 in Ontario.
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