29 January 2022

2 minute read

Revamped legislation on veterinary medicinal products apply in the EU as of 28 January. Adopted three years ago, the legislation aims to support the achievement of the objectives set in the European One Health Action Plan and in the Farm to Fork Strategy against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

"We have set an ambitious target in our Farm to Fork Strategy of halving overall EU sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture by 2030," said Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides. "With the European One Health Action Plan, we aim to tackle this potential health crisis by addressing human, animal and plant health as one continuum. The new rules will be key to achieving this."

Kyriakides went on to say that it is possible to reduce infections and the need for treatment through improved hygiene practices, vaccination, biosecurity and animal husbandry. 

"The new rules will ensure that, as of today, treatments by antimicrobials for animals will be administered when, and only when, there is a real need for them," she said. "Together with the new legislation on medicated feed, which will ban the preventive use and restrict prescriptions of antimicrobial in medicated feed, the new rules will significantly strengthen the fights against AMR."

Kyriakides believes the new rules will also help promote the availability of new veterinary medicines by "stimulating innovation and competitiveness." 

"I encourage all Member States to make sure that the appropriate measures and resources are put in place, in order to ensure the full functioning of the legislation on the ground at national level, and to make its implementation a common success," Kyriakides concluded.