Today the European Parliament demonstrated their trust in the scientific assessment of the EU’s Agencies. The outcome of the plenary vote sends a strong message that the EU and their political leaders continue to address the challenge of antimicrobial resistance through a science-based One Health approach.
In a majority vote, members of the European Parliament voted by a large majority to ensure that veterinarians retain access to life-saving antimicrobial therapy for animals. They acknowledged the suitability of the criteria for the designation of antimicrobials to be reserved for the treatment of certain infections in humans as advised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).The veterinary profession, advocates of the One Health approach, played a leading role in warning MEPs about the detrimental impact this motion would have on the health and welfare of animals and also people.
Rens van Dobbenburgh, President of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), says: “We thank all MEPs who voted against the motion for letting science prevail over politics. This vote is a key step forward in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. “
Nancy De Briyne, Executive Director of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), followed saying “Restrictions on antimicrobials for animals that go further than those justified by scientific evidence would have resulted in unnecessary animal illness, suffering and losses. Animals deserve treatment too. We thank MEPs for recognizing the connection between animal health to the wellbeing and health of people.”
The veterinary profession will continue to work in close collaboration with all key stakeholders in the human and animal health sectors to ensure the true implementation of the One Health approach in practice. Together with EPRUMA and our other One Health partners, we will continue fighting antimicrobial resistance in a collaborative way. Together we will continue to work on ways to reduce the need to treat with antimicrobials and to promote responsible use to keep antimicrobials effective, now and in the future.
“Veterinarians know, care and contribute”
You can also read this press release on the FVE website
