Bruxelles, 6 December 2018 — Veterinary organizations in North America and Europe have teamed up to combat antimicrobial resistance while ensuring the continuing availability of medications essential for human and animal health.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) have released a Joint Statement on Continuous Monitoring of Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance.
The statement describes broad steps and strategies veterinarians around the world can take to preserve the effectiveness and availability of antimicrobial drugs while safeguarding animal, public and environmental health.

We can only combat antimicrobial resistance using a ‘One Health’ approach, involving all fields where antibiotics are used such as in human and veterinary medicine and in agriculture.” says Rafael Laguens, President of FVE. “As veterinary professional organisations, AVMA, CVMA and FVE work together to show leadership in promoting global antimicrobial stewardship.”