In a victory for America’s pork producers and swine veterinarians, the National Pork Producers Council celebrated the United Nations’ decision to reject proposed on-farm target reductions of antimicrobials on Sept. 26.
Instead, the UN declaration on antimicrobial resistance invests in stewardship programs and strengthens veterinarians’ roles on the farm, which NPPC strongly supports. Without NPPC’s leadership and science-based voice in these discussions, by 2030, the UN could have implemented a 30% global on-farm reduction in antimicrobials, as well as limits on the use of certain antibiotics in animal agriculture, the pork organization said.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, domestic sales of all medically important antimicrobials intended for use in food-producing animals decreased by 33% between 2016 and 2017.
“Pork producers care about the health of their pigs, as healthy pigs ensure safe pork,” said Dr. Ashley Johnson, NPPC director of food policy. “Efforts to dictate on-farm production practices—especially those not rooted in science—are harmful in nature and undermine veterinarians’ ability to best care for and treat animals.”
NPPC advocates for pork producers and veterinarians’ freedom to judiciously establish and maintain herd health through a valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship, including three times this year on a global stage. Through a VCPR, pork producers and veterinarians work together to customize a plan to protect both animal and human health, which may include using antimicrobials. A mandated reduction in antimicrobial use would compromise veterinarians’ ability to provide the best possible care for pigs.
In addition to utilizing a VCPR, the pork industry participates in the multi-agency One Health collaborative to optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems on a local, regional, national and global level. NPPC also supports increased antimicrobial stewardship programs that promote animal and human health, decrease antimicrobial resistance and protect the food supply. To learn more about antimicrobial use, visit https://nppc.org/antimicrobials/.
