MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet
Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: In the last five
years, considerable progress has been made towards tackling
antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals in Wales.
The Animal and Environment AMR Delivery Group was established and
subsequently recommended the publication of an AMR in Animals and
the Environment Implementation Plan, both of which, were a first
for Wales (2019-2024).
The Delivery Group and the Implementation Plan helped shaped our
approach, with achievements shared in several annual reviews. I
have now published the latest review on the Welsh Government
website, which concludes our first five-year term in addressing
AMR.
We have achieved a great deal, but the work does not stop there.
The effects of AMR continue to be disruptive and costly, not just
to animal keepers and veterinarians, but also for the wider
community.
To build on the progress made in Wales I have established a new
Wales AMR Animal Health Group. The group will provide advice and
guidance to support our approach, and they have
recommended a new Animal AMR Control Plan for Wales (2025 –
2029), which is aligned with the UK National Action Plan
(2024-2029).
Within the Welsh Government, efforts to address AMR will continue
to apply the One Health approach, bringing together public
health, animal health and the environment. Resistant organisms
pose direct risks to both people and animals, and they can spread
through the environment, applying the One Health approach is a
crucial element in addressing AMR.
However, AMR controls cannot solely be delivered by Government.
We need animal keepers and veterinarians to work together and to
work with us in achieving for Wales.
To support our plans, I have awarded £2 million of funding to the
Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthfaicrobaidd Cyfrifol) consortium. Arwain
have a proven record in delivering AMR controls and this new
phase of the project will allow us to continue positioning Wales
as a world leader in efforts aimed at addressing AMR.
Phase three of the Arwain programme will continue to deliver the
successful Veterinary Prescribing Champions Network, representing
44 veterinary practices across Wales. The project will continue
with the collection of antimicrobial usage (AMU) data from at
least 4,500 Welsh farms. Monitoring AMR in cattle and sheep by
on-farm sampling will enable us to better understand the
development and spread of AMR in Welsh farming systems. There are
several other strands to the programme as well as some exciting
new workstreams, such as an AMR academy, which will provide
targeted training and experiences around AMR to vets, farmers and
our future farmers.
Our goals and the Arwain programme involve all animal keepers and
their vets keeping our animals healthy and - when it is necessary
- to use antibiotics responsibly. We will achieve this by working
hand-in-hand with our partners. We will also be supported by an
extensive and varied stakeholder engagement plan to share our
approach and allow others to learn from our experience. Further
information will be available on the Arwain website in due course
and I'd urge anyone with an interest to take a look.
I look forward to seeing continued success in our collective
efforts to address AMR as we all work together to ensure
antibiotics remain effective for future generations.
