Indian Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Research (IAAVR) during its 16th Indian Veterinary Congress, 23rd Annual Conference of IAAVR and National Symposium on 'Strengthening of Governance in Animal Health and Production Activities for the benefit of Farmers and Livestock owners' organized a Round Table on 'Guidelines for Antimicrobial Standards in Livestock Healthcare' with the aegis of Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies (INFAH) in College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar on 27-28th February' 2016.
The round table was attended by more than 120 Veterinarians associated with academic and research field and policy makers from Indian Council of Agricultural Research and its associated institutes and also from State and Central Universities. The objective was to deliberate over the concerns of Antibiotic usage in animal healthcare and its impact on human health. The round table was co-chaired by Dr. Sitangsu Mohan Deb, Director, ICAR- National Research Centre on Yak; Mr. Vijay Teng, General Secretary, INFAH and Dr. Rishendra Verma, Founder Secretary, IAAVR.
The round table was participated by eminent speakers, Dr. Sumanth Gandra, Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (CDDEP, Washington); Dr. G. Sarath Chandra, Professor and Head, Pharmacovigilance Laboratory for Animal Feed and Food Security, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS); Mr. Somu Ambat, Access Consultancy; Dr. S. K. Mody, Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, S.D.A.U, Sadarkrushinagar and Industry professionals, Dr. Nitin Bhatia and Dr. D. J. Kalita.
The scientific deliberations highlight that antibiotics are essential part of therapeutics management of infectious disease in both livestock and pet animals, insuring better animal health and life. India currently contributes 3% of the world livestock antibiotic consumption and harbours 10% of the world food animal production. By 2030, this consumption would go upto 4% considering the animal population and need of antibiotics for a healthy and secure life of animals and also human. The need is to strike a balance between the benefits and risk of using antimicrobials in the food supply chain. The discussions even highlighted that the recent CSE study suggests that concentration of antibiotics isolated from specimens are within the MRL outlined by European Union and United States. The concern is to ensure responsible and prudent use of antibiotics for animal welfare and protection as well as management of infectious diseases ensuring food from these animals is safe and healthy for humans.
