News

Press release From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Published on 30 September 2021 - Last updated on 30 September 2021

The Minister for Agriculture in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., is pleased to launch the Report of the iNAP Animal Health Implementation Committee (AHIC) which outlines the progress achieved to date in delivering the actions contained in Ireland’s first National Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance 2017-2020 (iNAP) both in the animal health and environment sectors.

“... The Minister concluded by saying that

” Our first National Action plan has provided a very successful platform to implement policies and actions to prevent, monitor and combat AMR across the health, agricultural and environmental sectors using a One Health approach. Such a coordinated approach is viewed by the European Union and the World Health Association as being critical to tackling this complex issue. This report outlines the progress made and the actions delivered, which provides a solid foundation from which to continue to on our ambition to address AMR. Collaborative actions enhance the health and wellbeing outcomes on Irish farms for farm families as well as being vital to the continued health of our society and economy.” ...

 

“What does ‘One Health’ mean?

The 'One Health' concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. Recognising that human health, animal health and ecosystem health are inextricably linked, ‘One Health’ seeks to promote, improve and defend the health and well-being of all species by enhancing cooperation and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, other scientific health and environmental professionals and by promoting strengths in leadership and management to achieve these goals.

There is international consensus through the ‘One Health’ Initiative to which the WHO (World Health Organisation), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) and the OIE (World Health Organisation for Animal Health) are signatories, that tackling the global public health threat of AMR requires action across human and animal health sectors, agriculture and the wider environment.

The multi-sector harmonisation of strategies and measures to address the challenge of AMR are necessary at a global, regional, and national level. There has been global intersectoral collaboration since 2010, with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) establishing tripartite actions to coordinate strategies to ensure antimicrobials maintain their efficacy, and are used responsibly. These agencies are signatories to a ‘One Health’ worldwide initiative.

The European Commission has also promoted a holistic and multi-sectoral approach involving many groups such as the public health, food safety, animal health and welfare, research and innovation, bio-safety and environment sectors. The EU at both Council and Parliament levels has developed its Community Strategy against AMR having regard to the ‘One Health’ concept.

...”

SEE: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/36fd5-minister-mcconalogue-welcomes-progress-in-relation-to-antimicrobial-resistance-in-animals-and-the-farm-environment/