On November 21–22, 2024, hands-on training for veterinarians and farmers was held in Brno at the Atlantis Hotel. The event focused on new measures to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which occurs when microorganisms causing infections become resistant to the drugs used to treat them. As a result, diseases spread more easily, persist, and can potentially become fatal.
The training is held across European Union countries. The main organizers are the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, together with the European Commission. In the Czech Republic, the organisation was undertaken by the Veterinary Research Institute, based in Brno-Medlánky.
The aim of the workshop is to provide veterinarians and farmers with insights into legislative updates and practical measures for reducing the use of antimicrobial agents and improving health standards in agriculture. The event held in the Czech Republic attracted about sixty participants, including practicing veterinarians, farmers, supervisory inspectors from Regional Veterinary Administrations, laboratories, and other experts from both the Czech Republic and abroad. The training programme aimed to increase awareness of related legislation, but the event mainly included practical topic lectures, working groups, and discussions on case studies.
The first day was devoted to the theoretical basis. The opening speech was given by Doc. Radko Rajmon from the State Veterinary Administration. Following an introductory test that evaluated the participants' knowledge, a series of presentations took place.
1. Antimicrobial resistance and its impacts
The first part of the presentation was conducted by Cristina Muñoz Madero, coordinator of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) and a member of the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP), who emphasized the economic impact of AMR, which costs Europe approximately 1.1 billion euros annually. AMR could lead to more deaths than cancer or heart attacks by 2050. In the second part, Lucie Pokludová from the Institute for State Control of Veterinary Biologicals and Medicines informed the participants about the national results of antimicrobial consumption. The results for the Czech Republic in reducing consumption are more than favourable, and the target reduction of 50% is already nearly achieved.
2. Introduction to the EU regulatory framework promoting the adoption of best practices to combat AMR
Jan Bernardy from the Veterinary Research Institute explained the key regulations (EU) 2019/6 and 2019/4, which govern the use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed. He highlighted new obligations for veterinarians and farmers, such as the requirement for a clinical examination before prescribing antimicrobials. He also outlined the objectives and rationale behind the creation of the EU Action Plan against AMR and the "Farm-to-Fork" strategy, which advocates for sustainability in the food system.
Jan Bernardy concluded that the key to success in the fight against AMR lies in the coordination of European legislation, national action plans, and the consistent application of best practices. He also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among veterinarians, farmers, and others involved in animal production and healthcare.
3. Key points of the new regulations on veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) and medicated feed
Cristina Muñoz Madero and Lucie Pokludová drew the participants' attention to specific updates, such as the ban on systematic prophylaxis with antimicrobial agents and the new procedures for using of medicated feed.
4. Group work
In the final part of the day, participants were first divided into groups based on their professional focus. Later, the groups were mixed to ensure that all professions were represented in each group. They immediately began working on questions regarding the reduction, responsible prescribing, and administration of antimicrobials to animals in their practice, while also leaving room for sharing personal experiences and further discussion. The main organizer of the group session, Sebastián Moya, a researcher from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, posed individual discussion questions and emphasized the importance of understanding the correct task instructions. His task was challenging—guiding the productive discussions of veterinary professionals in the right direction (especially in the late afternoon)—but he succeeded, and the reward for everyone was a buffet dinner.
Day Two: Practical Session
On the second day, participants presented the outcomes of the group work and three case studies—focused on cattle, pigs, and small ruminants. They identified challenges hindering the implementation of best practices and explored solutions to reduce the use of antimicrobial agents. Topics such as diagnostics, biosecurity, and proper dosing were discussed.
The training emphasized the importance of collaboration between veterinarians and farmers in promoting measures to reduce the overuse of antimicrobial agents. The participants appreciated the programme's practical focus and the sharing of specific tools for implementing the legislation. The final test demonstrated significant improvement among participants, although the initial test had already shown that our veterinary and farming communities were well-acquainted with prudent use of antimicrobials.
