The current Annual Report marks four years of data collection and close collaboration between the OIE and Member Countries. The efforts of the animal health sector to ensure antimicrobial agents are used responsibly are key components that have impacted in the development of a database that contributes to national and global surveillance and monitoring systems on antimicrobial use in the animal sector with increased precision.

In the fourth round of data collection, a total of 153 countries participated, demonstrating sustained national monitoring across all regions. An increasing level of engagement has been received from countries who are able to provide quantitative data. The data presented in the Fourth Annual Report represents the commitment of countries to report more accurate data sets that can be used to as an evidence base from which to optimise the responsible use of antimicrobial agents, such as regional comparisons, classification of antimicrobial agents for use in food animals or records of antimicrobial quantities used and animal kilograms.

"The development of a robust Global Database built to increase the global understanding of the use of antimicrobials in animals is an ongoing objective of the OIE Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance," notes Dr Monique Eloit, Director General of the OIE.

"Furthermore, it is also our collaboration with Member Countries’ and their improvement of national capacity to survey and monitor antimicrobial use that has had a positive impact on the Database. The commitment to monitoring being undertaken by the OIE and our Member Countries through their National Action Plans on AMR are invaluable to the collection of data from animal health sector."

At national level, the Annual Report observes the implementation of National Action Plans on Antimicrobial Resistance which place a priority on the national capacity for the quantities of antimicrobial agents to be surveyed and monitored. It is through monitoring that countries are able to establish baseline information on antimicrobial use, measure progress and evaluate the impact of regulatory frameworks to show how antimicrobials are being used prudently.

"Since 2015 we have answered the questionnaires, working in partnership with private entities that represent animal health industry in Brazil. There has been major advance in terms of the quality of data submitted over the years," shared Dr Geraldo Marcos de Moraes, Director of the Animal Health Department and OIE Delegate.

"Given its importance, structuring of the monitoring of usage data has been included in our National Action Plan, so that the information obtained is used by the Brazilian government, in contribution to the assessment and management of risks related to antimicrobial resistance."

Additionally, national level surveillance and monitoring of data on antimicrobial use has demonstrated its importance and utility globally through other monitoring reports such as the Tripartite Monitoring and Evaluation framework for the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance and the Report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on antimicrobial resistance.

While the Fourth Annual Report provides analysis and understanding within the global and regional context of antimicrobial use in the animal sector, it is the capacity building spearheaded by the OIE that is another noteworthy accomplishment. To date, 265 representatives from national, regional and global level offices and organisations have been trained in Global Database focused workshops which aim to support countries optimise their antimicrobial use data collection systems.

Dr Rozanah Asmah Abd Samad, the Deputy Director of the Biosecurity and SPS Management Division of Malaysia’s Department of Veterinary Services shared that "Malaysia has gained much in the activities conducted in collaborations with the OIE, gaining knowledge, experience, and networking. Many national initiatives have been introduced to the stakeholders and industries for the betterment of responsible and prudent use of veterinary products, such as the One Health Action Plan on AMR."

It is because of the commitment of our Member Countries that the OIE has been able to build a robust database on antimicrobial agents intended for use in animals. The Fourth Annual Report represents the hard work of all stakeholders involved demonstrating growing awareness and ensuring better practices to optimise the prudent and responsible use of antimicrobial and contain antimicrobial resistance.