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MEPs vote to curb antibiotic use in farming
chickens
MEPs voted to prohibit the use of preventative antibiotics to single animals, and only when this is deemed 'fully justifiable' by a veterinary surgeon.
Calls for ban on preventative and collective use of antibiotics
 
The use of antibiotics in farming could be restricted after MEPs voted in favour of draft plans to change an EU law on veterinary medicines.

Specifically, MEPs called for a ban on the preventative use of antibiotics, restrictions on their collective use and a ban on drugs that are critically important for human medicine.

"The fight against antibiotic resistance must start on farms," said French MEP Françoise Grossetête. "We wish to prohibit the purely preventive use of antibiotics, restrict collective treatment to very specific cases, prohibit the veterinary use of antibiotics that are critically important for human medicine and put an end to online sales of antibiotics, vaccines and psychotropic substances.

"Thanks to these measures, we hope to reduce the amounts of antibiotics found on consumers’ plates."

MEPs voted to prohibit the use of preventative antibiotics to single animals, and only when this is deemed 'fully justifiable' by a veterinary surgeon.

"However we need not reduce the therapeutic arsenal available to vets," added Françoise Grossetête. "This law aims to facilitate their work. It is absolutely necessary to encourage research and innovation in this sector."

The revised law would also empower the European Commission to select antimicrobials that must be reserved for the treatment of humans.

MEPs also supported plans to encourage research into new antimicrobials, including longer periods of protection for technical documentation on new medicines, commercial protection of innovative active substances, and protection for significant investments in data generated to improve a drug or keep it on the market.

The proposals will now be considered by the council of ministers.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.