Bristol Vet School at the forefront of combatting antimicrobial resistance

Press release issued: 28 April 2018

Researchers from the Bristol Veterinary School at the University of Bristol are leading the way with farmers to combat and change antimicrobial (AM) use on farms. Antimicrobial resistance - or AMR - is a global threat, with an estimated 700,000 people dying from resistant infections every year.

Today [Saturday 28 April] is World Veterinary Day 2018 and ongoing research from the University’s Vet School has been showcased in a new YouTube video produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

AMR is a crucial example of the importance of the One Health concept, which recognises that the health of humans is connected to the health of animals and the environment. People share many of the same health problems as animals; for instance, they both suffer from age-related diseases and infections, such as pneumonia.

AMR research at the Bristol Vet School is led by the AMR Force and the group has inspired and enacted change in AM use on farms and in veterinary prescribing practice through collaboration and dialogue with suppliers, retailers, veterinarians, software development companies, government, livestock farmers and the livestock industries.

The impact AMR Force’s research has made includes:

Change in prescribing practice of veterinarians;
Change in husbandry practices and medicine use of farmers;
Increased attention for AM use and AMR in the livestock sector in policy and research;
Increased understanding and awareness on the use of AMs and AMR on farms and in practice.

The work of the AMR Force has also resulted in sustained and productive interdisciplinary collaborations and engagement with farmers, veterinarians and other organisations that deliver products and services to market including retailers, suppliers, and farm assurance and industry to influence effective change in the use of AMs in the livestock sector.

David Barrett, Professor of Bovine Medicine, Production and Reproduction at the University’s Vet School, said: “The Vet School has been working hard to lower the use of critically important antimicrobials. While it is the responsibility of every vet, farmer and doctor to use antimicrobials responsibly it is also something that requires global leadership. We are all ready for the challenge, and if we all work together, we can succeed.”

Andrea Turner, Farm Animal Veterinary Surgeon at Langford Vets, explained: “It is important that farmers and veterinarians have access to antimicrobials when they are needed to treat animal disease. To protect the industry, the food chain and ultimately human health. However, these medicines should be used as little as possible, but as much as necessary.”

The AMR Force members have contributed to a number of initiatives including leading the British Cattle Veterinary Association and the British Veterinary Association Medicines Committees, developing a major retailer’s antimicrobial stewardship policy using participatory methods along with dairy farmers, training veterinarians and farmers across a number of veterinary practices on responsible antimicrobial use, and informing industry and legislative bodies including the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and the Responsible use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA).

Paper:

'Ceasing the use of the highest priority critically important antimicrobials does not adversely affect production, health or welfare parameters in dairy cows' by Andrea Turner et al in Vet Record

Further information

About antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research at the Bristol Veterinary School at the University of Bristol is promoted and facilitated by the AMR Force, initiated and led by Dr Kristen Reyher. We work both in the South West of England, nationally and internationally, and are interested in decreasing antimicrobial use while improving animal health through a plurality of approaches addressing differing styles and attitudes.

Our group has been funded by and currently stewards over £7.6 million of funding from Research Councils UK (BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC) along with various industry (AHDB Beef & Lamb, AHDB Dairy, MSD Animal Health, Zoetis UK, WD Farmers, Coombe Farm), public (Defra, University of Bristol) and charity funders (Soil Association, The Langford Trust) as well as international bodies (EU H2020, Formas – Sweden).

We are uniquely placed to combine our veterinary focus with close collaborations, including those with social science interests, animal welfare research and policy-making concerning animals, animal welfare and veterinary practice. We perform medicines audits and clinical governance on antibiotics in all Langford Vets clinics and advise for a number of other practices nationally. We are heavily involved in influencing medicines use UK-wide and in national control programmes on farms. We also work closely and have collaborations with the BristolBridge AMR project and with a number of basic and social science researchers at the University of Bristol, University of Exeter and elsewhere.

About Langford Vets
Langford Veterinary Services Limited (trading as Langford Vets) is a customer focussed veterinary business providing an extensive range of specialist capabilities and a superior quality of care. All clinics are supported by highly specialised clinicians, diagnostic imagers, anaesthetists, nurses and support staff.

With the largest team of American and European specialists in the south west of England and as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Practice Standards Scheme, the Langford Vets team has reached the highest recognition available in all areas.

Langford Vets is proud to be a part of the University of Bristol.