A total of 27 participants from federal government, development partners, associations and the National AMR Advisory Committee took part in the AMR-related legistlation review workshop.

14 June 2018, Addis Ababa - The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) assisted the Government of Ethiopia in reviewing legislations relevant to Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).  The review process was conducted by a national legal consultant from February to April 2018.  Almost all the available regulations in the country that could contribute to reduce unnecessary AMU and AMR were reviewed.

At present, AMR is a widely agreed-upon long term public health and economic threat and cross sectoral issue that encompasses public health, animal health, food and environment sectors.

In fact, the issue requires not only short-term interventions but also long-term, multifaceted and sustained ones across sectors.   Among the various solutions suggested in this regard is the need for sustained efforts in AMR prevention and containment supported with legislations.

According to FAO, legislation is a key component in addressing the abuse, overuse, misuse and release of antimicrobials, and plays a vital role in regulating and reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use to minimize the risks of AMR. Doing so will enhance productivity and delay the risks of AMR development. 

Ethiopia has some experiences in the prevention and containment of AMR over a decade time and the country has a number of proclamations and regulations which may be relevant to AMU, AMR and AMR prevention and containment. However, the comprehensiveness, overlaps, and gaps among them had never been reviewed.

After reviewing the available antimicrobial-related legislations in Ethiopia, the draft report was presented at a consultative and validation workshop organized on 8 May 2018 in Addis Ababa. The workshop was organized by the Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) within the FAO Ethiopia Representation; and the Veterinary Drug and Animal Feed Administration and Control Authority (VDFACA).  A total of 27 participants from federal government, development partners, associations and the National AMR Advisory Committee took part in the event.

The report confirmed that there are several institutions and legislations in Ethiopia that are relevant to AMU, AMR, and AMR containment at federal and regional levels.  Some of the legislations discussed in the report have important provisions to prevent and control AMR though have their own gaps. 

Furthermore, areas like animal production; food safety; medicated feed; animal welfare, etc. are not addressed by legislation.  It was also emphasized that there is a need to harmonize the alignment between regional states and federal government ministries and agencies in drafting, adopting and implementing AMU and AMR related laws.  There is also a need for meaningful coordination and cooperation between federal and regional institutions enacting and implementing AMR and AMR-related laws.

During the consultative and validation workshop, participants expressed that some of the proclamations or regulations are under revision and this gives a good opportunity to include the gaps identified in the report.

After incorporating inputs from the relevant stakeholders, the draft report was finalized and submitted for FAO’s approval.  Going forward, the report will be used as an input for One Health platforms for prevention and containment of AMR; and intensive effort will be made to popularize the assessment and the gaps for meaningful containment of AMR for key stakeholders.  Not to mention, identification of sectors that need new legislation or amendment of existing legislation and conducting sector specific detailed analysis of the gaps and the necessary modifications.  Furthermore, discussion will be made with the relevant government institutions in the necessity of amending existing legislations relevant to AMU/AMR or drafting new ones. 

About ECTAD Ethiopia AMR-Related Efforts to date

FAO has been supporting efforts in combating AMR and reducing its threats to humans, animals, plants, biodiversity, and ecosystems in Ethiopia in order to contribute to ensuring sustainable livelihoods, food security and economic development, particularly within the livestock sector here in Ethiopia.  Funded by the UK Government Official Development Assistance through Fleming Fund, FAO Ethiopia has started implementing an AMR project entitled, “Engaging the Food and Agriculture Sectors in Ethiopia in the Global Efforts to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance Using a One Health Approach,” in 2017. 

Through this project, other than reviewing the current AMR legal frameworks, FAO-ECTAD Ethiopia is supporting an update and revision of the One Health Antimicrobials Resistance Prevention and Containment Strategy for Ethiopia to address livestock production, aquaculture and the environment.  In addition, the project has conducted a baseline assessment on antimicrobials use and resistance in Ethiopia.  Developing of guidance, advocacy and awareness information for good practices with government counterparts are also activities in progress. 

For further information, contact: 

Feleseta Kassaye Woldtsadique

Risk Communication and One Health Outreach Coordinator

Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Email: [email protected]

Office: +251 11 647 8888 Ext 238