Growing pains: New frontiers for antimicrobial stewardship

One the biggest shifts in recent months in Canadian agriculture has been the transition to new rules and expectations regarding the use of antimicrobials.

What has been the impact? How are producers and their industries adjusting? These and other key questions were tackled in a panel discussion at the 2019 LCC on “Growing pains” related to antimicrobial use and the antimicrobial resistance issue.

Panelists included small flock owner Cassandra Kirkpatrick (far left), beef producer Greg Bowie (second from left), beekeeper Adam Ovinge (middle), poultry veterinarian Dr. Tom Inglis (second from right), and ABVMA Registrar Dr.  Darrell Dalton (far right).

All panelists agreed the producer-veterinarian relationship is critical to  ensure the best management decisions related to antimicrobial use. Strong biosecurity as part of an integrated approach to optimizing animal health and reducing disease risk is critical.

Stewardship rules and approaches at a broader level are best addressed through knowledge-sharing and cooperation among different stakeholders. “I think the model of collaborative work is what we really need to keep focused on with the antimicrobial issue,” says Inglis. “The best results occur when we have all stakeholders at the table and we’re addressing these issues together.”