During the plenary session (22-25/10/2018) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on new rules to limit the use of antibiotics in farming in order to keep drug-resistant bacteria out of our food. Statements by Claudiu Ciprian TĂNĂSESCU (S&D, RO), rapporteur, Françoise GROSSETÊTE (EPP, FR), rapporteur, and Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

BULC, Violeta (SI, EC)

GROSSETÊTE, Françoise (EPP, FR)

veterinary medicinal products (T)

TĂNĂSESCU, Claudiu Ciprian (S&D, RO)

Veterinary medicinal products: extracts from the joint debate

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Claudiu Ciprian T&#258;N&#258;SESCU (S&amp;D, RO), rapporteur, The agreement we have reached will really cover all veterinary medicinal products, so that animal health can be ensured and indeed human health as well. The fight against antibiotic resistance and the maintenance of veterinary medical production has been guaranteed. All veterinary medicines on the market will be guaranteed in terms of how the procedure goes through.

SOUNDBITE (French), Fran&#231;oise GROSSET&#202;TE (EPP, FR), rapporteur, Antibiotics should only be used as a last resort and should never be used to compensate for the non respect of good animal husbandry practices. Our agricultural model needs to adapt to that. Now, what we are trying to do is not stigmatise livestock farmers; we know the difficulties they face. What we are trying to do is ensure that they can better care for their livestock, because anti-microbial resistance is a major problem. It is a world wide problem as well. So we have called for reciprocity when it comes to the use of antibiotics and this is a major success. There is no longer going to be importation of meat from countries that continue to authorise the use of antibiotics in order to ensure growth in their livestock.

SOUNDBITE (English), Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport, The package contains very concrete measures to promote more prudent use of anti-microbials in animals and strengthen EU action against anti-microbial resistance. These measures are designed pursuing the one health approach. Recognising that human health, animal health and environment are interconnected.

SOUNDBITE (English), Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport, The text lays down a vast array of measures to tackle anti-microbial resistance. They build on the one health approach and include: First, a ban on the preventive use of antibiotics in groups of animals. Second, restrictions on metaphylactic use. Third, the possibility to reserve certain anti-microbials for human use only. Fourth, a ban on using anti-microbials to promote animal growth, adding to the 2006 ban on antibiotics as feed additives.

SOUNDBITE (English), Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport, In addition, Member States will be required to collect and report data on sales and use of anti-microbials in animals. This valuable data will support the design and implementation of targeted policies against anti-microbial resistance in the future.