Antimicrobial Use, Resistance Symposium White Paper Released

February 6, 2013 — 

Antimicrobial use and resistance and a start toward seeking resolution on these polarizing and often misunderstood issues are topics addressed in a White Paper developed by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. The White Paper contains a synopsis of presentations given by 13 human health, animal health and environmental health scientists and professionals and the results of four interactive sessions involving all attendees at the “A One Health Approach to Antimicrobial Use & Resistance: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose” symposium in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 13-15.

“This White Paper takes the complex subject of antimicrobial use and resistance and breaks it down into issues that need to be addressed, factors that need to be considered and actions that need to be taken in order to improve human, environmental and animal health,” states symposium co-chair Leah C. Dorman, DVM, Director of Food Programs, Center for Food and Animal Issues, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

Symposium co-chair Dr. Jennifer Koeman, Director of Producer and Public Health for the National Pork Board, encourages individuals to share the antimicrobial use and resistance symposium White Paper with constituents within agriculture as well as those outside of agriculture.

“This White Paper can be used as a tool to further engage in open dialogue with all stakeholders, strive towards adopting a One Health mindset and move toward consensus on a path forward,” Koeman adds.

The Antimicrobial Use and Resistance White Paper is available online at http://www.animalagriculture.org/Solutions/Symposia/2012_antibiotics/Antimicrobial_Use_Resistance_White_Paper_final.pdf. You can also view many of symposium’s PowerPoint presentations and hear the audio in full online at http://www.animalagriculture.org/Solutions/Symposia/2012_antibiotics/index.html.

Source: NIAA