Campaign for stricter use of antibiotics expected

TIGHTER control of use of antibiotics in humans and farm animals is likely — driven by the government of Denmark, which has pledged to campaign against antimicrobial resistance as a priority when it takes over the EU presidency next January.

The Danish Ministers for the Interior, Health, and Food also want to introduce a common European surveillance programme for antibiotic consumption. They will focus on antibiotics which are essential for the treatment of serious human infections.

Food Minister Henrik Høegh said: “In Denmark, we have taken various initiatives in order to limit the use of antibiotics. One of the 2010 initiatives for reducing the use of antimicrobials in animals is the introduction of a yellow card issued to pig producers with a relatively high level of antibiotics consumption.”