EU Council adopts recommendation regarding antimicrobial resistance

The Council has adopted a recommendation aimed at stepping up EU action to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the fields of human health, animal health, and the environment.

The recommendation employs a 'One Health' approach to AMR, based on the fact that the health of humans, animals and the environment is intrinsically linked and that AMR can only be overcome through joint efforts taken across all three areas.

The proposed measures set out in the recommendation include:

• concrete targets to reduce antimicrobial use by 2030, including a 20% reduction in total human consumption of antibiotics and a 50% reduction in overall EU sales of antimicrobials used for farm animals and aquaculture
• strengthening of national action plans to help implement these targets and monitor the use of antibiotics at national level, including indicators to assess progress
• better surveillance of AMR and antimicrobial consumption (AMC) at all levels
• efforts to improve the health and welfare of food-producing animals to decrease the spread of infectious diseases in farming
• awareness raising among the public and professionals working in the human health and veterinary sectors, including training for health professionals and communication campaigns