A conference on "The Engagement of the Veterinary Sector for Ensuring Food Safety", sponsored by the “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT)” project in Mongolia, was held on 3 April 2023. More than 120 veterinarians and livestock specialists from 17 districts discussed food safety and foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“Most herders in Mongolia acquire antimicrobials without clinical assessment of animal health or specific advice on how to use them. We did a survey with 138 veterinarians from 49 districts in 2021, and that showed that their understanding of antimicrobial resistance can be improved. Ensuring that veterinarians have the knowledge to guide on the prudent use of antimicrobials is very important in efforts to control foodborne AMR,” said Enkhtur Byakharjav, National Project Coordinator in Mongolia. He was also interviewed by local media on the issue of antimicrobial resistance and food safety.

During the conference, veterinarians suggested having a regulation that requires a prescription of antimicrobials for herders and farmers. This regulation is under development now in Mongolia.

“To address this, the ACT project implements different activities to raise awareness of veterinarians and herders, in addition, we are working with different stakeholders on recommendations for a possible regulatory reform in Mongolia to contain foodborne AMR”, said Byakharjav.

The participants also visited one veterinary laboratory, where they discussed the plans to do antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) this year. This will be the first laboratory testing for antimicrobial resistant organisms in the Selenge province.

“We will follow Codex and other international guidelines. If those tests can be performed at the provincial level, it will be useful for future laboratory-based AMR surveillance,” said Byakharjav,  of antimicrobial drugs during this mission.

The ACT project is supporting the implementation of Codex standards related to the containment and reduction of foodborne AMR and monitoring and surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance. By supporting better management of foodborne AMR in Bolivia, Cambodia, Colombia, Mongolia, Nepal, and Pakistan, the project will contribute to improved access to international markets and protect consumers against the risks posed by foodborne AMR.

Learn more about Action to support implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT) project