World Organisation for Animal Health
Font size:
Language :
Search:
Home > Our scientific expertise > Veterinary products > Antimicrobials
Antimicrobial agents and antimicrobial resistance
Related link
OIE Standards
OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code
Chapter 6.6.
OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code
Introduction to the recommendations for controlling antimicrobial resistance
Chapter 6.7.
Harmonisation of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance and monitoring programmes
Chapter 6.8.
Monitoring of the quantities and usage patterns of antimicrobials agents used in food producing animals
Chapter 6.9.
Responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine
Chapter 6.10.
Risk assessment for antimicrobial resistance arising from the use of antimicrobials in animalsChapter 6.1.
Introduction to the recommendations for controlling antimicrobial resistance
Chapter 6.2.
Principles for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in aquatic animalsChapter 6.3.
Monitoring of the quantities and usage patterns of antimicrobial agents used in aquatic animalsChapter 6.4.
Developpment and harmonisation of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance and monitoring programmes for aquatic animalsChapter 6.5.
Risk analysis for antimicrobial resistance arising from the use of antimicrobial agents in aquatic animalsOIE Manual of diagnostic tests and vaccines for Terrestrial Animals
Guideline 2.1.
Laboratory methodologies for bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Antimicrobial resistance is a global human and animal health concern that is influenced by both human and non-human antimicrobial agent usage. The human, animal and plant sectors therefore have a shared responsibility to prevent or minimise antimicrobial resistance selection pressures on both human and non-human pathogens.
The OIE has worked actively for more than a decade on veterinary products, including antimicrobial agents, and developed a coherent strategy for its activities in this area. Given that antimicrobial resistance is an animal and human health issue, the OIE works closely with its Member Countries, WHO, FAO and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Following the FAO/OIE/WHO workshops on non-human antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance held in 2003 (on scientific assessment) and in 2004 (on management options), the OIE developed a list of antimicrobial agents of veterinary importance, in parallel with the WHO list for human medicine.
The OIE promotes the responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in terrestrial animals, so as to preserve their therapeutic efficacy and prolong their use in both animals and human. It has developed standards on the monitoring of the quantities of antimicrobial agents used and antimicrobial resistance. The OIE also developed standards and guidelines to provide methodologies for OIE Member Countries to appropriately address the risk of the emergence or spread of resistant bacteria that result from the use of antimicrobial agents in food producing animals.
These standards and guidelines can be found in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (chapters 6.6., 6.7., 6.8., 6.9. and 6.10. and in the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals. (Guideline 2.1.).
A parallel development has been undertaken for aquatic animals and the introduction to the standards and guidelines can be found in the aquatic animals (Chapter 6.1., 6.2., 6.3. , 6.4. and 6.5.).
These standards are regularly updated to take account of latest scientific findings.
OIE's work is supported by several Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres.
Resolution adopted by the World Assembly of Delegates
83rd General Session, May 2015
- Resolution No.26: Combating antimicrobial resistance and promoting the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in animals
Meeting
OIE GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON THE RESPONSIBLE AND PRUDENT USE OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS FOR ANIMALS
"International Solidarity to Fight against Antimicrobial Resistance"
(OIE Headquarters, Paris, 13-15 March 2013)