FAO Unveils Ten-year Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Impacts on Farms Globally 

Gilbert Ekugbe 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has unveiled a 10-year strategy to reduce the need for antimicrobials on farms, amid the growing threat posed by Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the food and agriculture sector globally.

According to a statement obtained from the United Nations food body’s website, the launch of a new action-oriented, country-focused initiative to impacting terrestrial and aquatic animal health, plants and the environment and causing significant economic losses to farmers across the globe is vital to transforming agri-food system across the globe 

FAO Director-General QU, said the persistent use of antimicrobials in livestock production is concerning for human health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.

Announcing the launch of the initiative Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation (RENOFARM), he called on global economies to explore innovative pathways to curb the use of antimicrobials and promote sustainable practices that safeguard public health and the planet’s well-being, while improving livestock productivity.

Organised in collaboration with the Rongchang District, Chongqing City, Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, National Center of Technological Innovation for Pigs, and with the support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, the event gathered more than 200 experts from China and across the globe.

The RENOFARM initiative aims to provide countries with policy support, technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge sharing to help reduce the need for antimicrobials in livestock production, prioritizing animal health and welfare, mitigating environmental impact, and enhancing food security and nutrition thus, helping to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.

“Working together with governments, farmers, private sector and civil society organisations and other actors, it will promote the “5 Gs” at the farm level: Good Health Services, Good Production Practices, Good Alternatives, Good Connections, and Good Incentives, “the FAO Director-General said.