Private sector plays crucial role in antibiotic resistance prevention and control

Reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock feed is crucial to effectively carry out the prevention and control of antibiotic resistance.

According to statistics from the Department of Livestock under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, before 2016, Vietnam imported and utilized approximately 40 types of antibiotics (in premix form) in livestock feed to stimulate growth.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Circular No. 06/2016/TT-BNNPTNT regarding the list and permitted levels of antibiotics in livestock feed for cattle and poultry growth stimulation in Vietnam.

Following the issuance of this Circular, there has been a shift in the use of antibiotics. Accordingly, only 15 types of antibiotics are currently permitted for use in livestock feed to stimulate growth.

On January 1, 2018, Vietnam prohibited the use of antibiotics in livestock feed for growth stimulation. However, antibiotics are still allowed for preventive and therapeutic purposes.

According to the roadmap to reduce antibiotic use, it is anticipated that by January 1, 2026, Vietnam will prohibit the use of antibiotics in livestock feed for preventive purposes and only allow their use for treatment of diseases.

Presently, 19 antibiotic groups, with 99 active ingredients and classified into three categories (critically important, highly important, important) are not permitted for use in livestock feed for preventive purposes. Only antibiotics outside the aforementioned categories are allowed for use in livestock feed for disease prevention.

Regarding the role of the private sector in this transition process, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hai,a representative of the Livestock Feed Division under the Department of Livestock production, believes that feed production facilities need to consider the four following factors:

Firstly, the use of alternatives to antibiotics in livestock feed, such as probiotics, organic acids, herbal extracts, etc. Secondly, the use of high-quality raw materials and strict control over the production process of livestock feed. Thirdly, the use of antibiotics in compliance with prescriptions and recommendations from veterinary drug manufacturers during livestock feed production. Fourthly, the effective implementation of hygiene procedures and cross-contamination control to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance among different types of livestock feed.

Regarding private livestock farms, there is an urgent need to raise awareness regarding the impacts of their overreliance on antibiotics. Subsequently, businesses are encouraged to utilize vaccines for disease prevention in livestock production and implement bio-safe farming practices.

In addition, it is crucial to use livestock feed containing antibiotics in compliance with the guidance and recommendations of the manufacturer. It is also important for businesses to use high-quality, disease-free livestock breeds to reduce the demand for antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance poses a global threat to public health, affecting the health and lives of people and the overall sustainable development of a nation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that each year, antibiotic resistance can potentially claim the lives of 10 million people, which is equivalent to one person dying every 3 seconds due to drug-resistant bacteria, surpassing the current number of cancer patients.

Vietnam has witnessed an increasing threat of antibiotic resistance over the last few years, stemming from the incorrect utilization of antibiotics across various levels of the healthcare system, aquaculture, livestock production, and in the community.

Consequently, the use of antibiotics in livestock production is considered a necessary solution for treating certain diseases and stimulating the growth of livestock herds. However, the misuse or abuse of antibiotics in livestock production can incur serious consequences not only for the animals but also for the consumers.

In response to World Antibiotic Resistance Awareness Week, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) - the leading agency in the "One Health" partnership framework for disease prevention and control from animals to humans - organized an event on the afternoon of November 18 to advocate collaborative efforts in the prevention and control of antibiotic resistance in agriculture.

The chosen theme for the year 2023 is "Mobilizing public-private collaboration in the prevention and control of antibiotic resistance in livestock production," which aligns with the global call by the World Health Organization for "Collaboration to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance."