WELCOME!
International Conference on Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Animals
It is with great pleasure that we announce the upcoming international conference on Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Animals
, to be held in the Netherlands, on 14-16 November 2011.
Antibiotics are used worldwide both in veterinary and human medicine.
The widespread use has heightened concerns about the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, which impacts animal welfare, public
health, food safety and environmental exposure. For example, the frequent occurrence of MRSA, the rapid increase of ESBLs and the
recent outbreaks of EHECs have become a serious public health problem.
In recent years there has been a lot of debate about the
use of antibiotics in animals. There has been much pressure to proscribe their non-therapeutic use and to remove antimicrobial growth
promoters from the market. The European Union has already banned the feeding of antibiotics for growth promotion purposes. Restricting
the range of antibiotics used in animals to those not regarded as important in human medicine or even prohibiting antibiotic use in
animals has also been advocated as a means to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
To reduce the overall use of
antibiotics in animals responsible use is becoming increasingly promoted. Many national and international organisations, associations
and federations associated with animal, human and public health have begun to develop guidelines, principles and other activities on
responsible use of antibiotics. But what lies ahead?
An exchange of views on the path forward
The objectives of the International Conference on Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Animals are:
- to give an overview of the current status and ongoing activities with respect to the issue of antibiotic use in animals and
antimicrobial resistance;
- to learn about the expectations of different parties involved;
- to identify the areas which need further action with respect to the current scientific knowledge and political expectations;
and
- to identify possibilities for effective actions, including effective co-ordination of activities.
The conference is designed for the animal health industry and the medical community; all users of antibiotics in animals, such as
veterinarians, animal feed producers, livestock and aquaculture producers, and nutritionists; food processors and manufacturers, and
retailers; policy makers and regulatory agencies; researchers in universities and research institutes; and others with an interest in
resistance and in the sustainability of antibiotics, such as educators, agricultural extension staff, consultants, and consumer
organizations.
The Advisory Board of the international conference on Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Animals
looks forward to meeting you at Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands, and assures that your participation will be fruitful and productive!
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