The representatives from the Plurinational State of Bolivia discussed the next steps in addressing foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as part of the “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT)” project. Thirty-five people from different government departments, associations, the private sector and academia met on 23-25 October 2023 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

“This workshop allowed us to reach commitments among different stakeholders. The participants agreed to establish a sectoral committee for AMR, a laboratory network for AMR in animal health, and the next steps in implementing the AMR surveillance plan in priority sectors of animal food production”, said Jorge Berrios, ACT Project Coordinator in the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

On the last day, there was a visit to a beef cattle production farm. The producer showed their sanitary system and the preventive measures they use to ensure low consumption of antimicrobials. The participants discussed the use of antimicrobials as growth promoters in national animal production and the need to identify alternatives.

The workshop was attended by representatives from the Directorate of Livestock Production, Aquaculture and Fisheries of the Ministry of Rural Development and Lands, the National Service for Agricultural Health and Food Safety, the National Codex Alimentarius Committee and the Intersectoral Committee for AMR, as well as professionals from the poultry industry, associations, academia and the Bolivian Confederation of Livestock Producers.

The ACT project works globally and locally to help countries prevent and control foodborne AMR through the implementation of Codex AMR texts, with a particular focus on the Plurinational State of Bolivia Cambodia, Colombia, Mongolia, Nepal, and Pakistan. Codex texts (international standards, guidelines, and codes of practice) outline the steps and policies that decision-makers should take to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

Learn more:

Action to support implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT) | Antimicrobial Resistance | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (fao.org)