Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1155

Health Canada is seeking stakeholder input on its response to recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Animal Uses of Antimicrobials and Impact on Resistance and Human Health.

The Federally appointed advisory committee presented 38 recommendations for addressing concerns related to the risk of antimicrobial resistance resulting from use with livestock.

Veterinary Drugs Directorate Director General Diane Kirkpatrick says Health Canada is impressed with the report and the science supporting its recommendations.

She says steps have already been taken to implement some recommendations, such as the development of a national surveillance system to track antimicrobial use and resistance, but other recommendations will require further consultation.

"We are eager to move forward in addressing this issue. We know that it's time for some action.

We've taken some steps to initiate that action.

We will be proceeding, now, in the next several months to receive input and comments on our proposed response to each of those recommendations.

Following that we will basically see where there is consensus on the response that we propose. Where that exists, we will move forward relatively rapidly to implement the response.

Where there are areas where there still is some lack of agreement in terms of how to respond we will hold further consultation with the different stake holders to try and find a path forward to move and address the issue from an agrifood perspective. "

The advisory committee's report and Health Canada's official response to it can be accessed through the Veterinary Drugs Directorate internet home page.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.