Growing Forward 2 - Final Report Project II | Page 60

AN ACTION AGENDA
FOR VETERINARY STEWARDSHIP
Table 25 (continued): An Action Agenda for Veterinary Stewardship of Antibiotic use in Food-Producing Animals in Ontario
Priority Initiative Proposed Tactics
Design a strategy for the
implementation of mandatory
producer training on appropriate
antibiotic use. 1. Veterinarians and producers analyze and understand drivers for the introduction of, as well as the
successes and challenges associated with, existing examples of mandatory training programs for product
purchase and use, such as the Ontario Pesticides Training and Certification program
2. Veterinarians and producers consider aspects of implementation, including:
a. pros and cons of voluntary versus mandatory
b. identification of potential funding channels
c. opportunities for recognition/certification of course completion
d. identify redundancies with existing programs
e. consider where exemptions might be warranted
f. possibility of integration with existing food safety/quality assurance programs and/or utilization of
supply management driven marketing/producer organizations
g. possible incentives for producers
h. messaging value of program to producers
i. enforcement strategies
3. Veterinarians and producers research, and write, a supportive information document for key stakeholders
on the merits of producer training programs on antibiotic use to improve antibiotic use and to reduce the
potential for antibiotic resistance.
Promote the standardization of
veterinary laboratory data and
reporting that identifies changes
in antibiotic resistance patterns. 1. Ontario laboratories lead a collaborative discussion to:
a. develop recommended strategies for a standardized process of microbial identification and
antimicrobial testing, from sample collection and handling through to reporting of results
b. identify similarities and differences in methodology, documentation, and reporting of bacterial
identification and resistance/susceptibility testing among laboratories in Ontario
c. identify reporting strategies that are helpful at point-of-treatment decision-making and instilling public
confidence in food safety, possibly through OAHN
d. work with laboratories across Canada to share information about bacterial identification, resistance/
susceptibility testing, through an agency such as the Canadian Animal Health Laboratorians Network
(CAHLN)
2. Ontario laboratories, together with existing antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance programs, identify
tools with experts such as the OAHN, to increase knowledge of veterinarians related to the complexity of
antimicrobial resistance/susceptibility, with respect to laboratory testing
3. Ontario laboratories identify methods:
a. to disseminate laboratory data reports and antibiotic resistance trend data for the purpose of creating
awareness
b. to promote action within the species-specific commodities
c. to inform training proposed for veterinarians and producers
College of Veterinarians of Ontario 
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