Da Nang, Viet Nam - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a multi-dimensional threat to human survival, public health, trade and economy and the over-all sustainable development of the country.  Antimicrobial resistance is a growing human and economic threat in Viet Nam with the increasing and uncontrolled use of antibiotics in the health system and in veterinary medicine, and for growth promotion and disease prevention in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, aquaculture.

Limited regulations of antibiotic use in the feed and the livestock sector in Vietnam is controversial issue, as the misuse of antimicrobials had led to an increasing concern about the large amount of antibiotics that are entering the food chain and could promote bacterial resistance and result in less efficient antibiotic treatments for human and animal diseases. This has also contributed to challenges associated with international trade.

Therefore, in order to technically support the Government of Viet Nam with the formation of policy guidelines on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), the first workshop on the management and use of antibiotics and antimicrobials in the livestock sector is being held in Da Nang. This workshop organized by the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Viet Nam in collaboration with the Departments of Livestock Production and Animal Health, within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

This workshop brings together experts from both public and private sectors, varying from animal health researchers and policy makers to business enterprises of animal feed and veterinary drugs. Six international experts from South Korea, Netherlands, United States, and China will also share their experience on antimicrobial use in livestock production and the lessons learned in planning, field implementation, regulations, and enforcement. 

“FAO is keen to support this workshop as it will help determine priorities and main thematic areas to be considered in developing the Action Plan for Safe and Strategic Use of Antimicrobials and Antibiotics in Livestock in Viet Nam. This is a great opportunity to learn from other countries with more experience, and then cater their advice into practically relevant approaches in Viet Nam” stated Scott Newman, the Senior Technical Coordinator of FAO ECTAD Viet Nam.

“This workshop builds upon the collaborative aide memoire on multi-sectoral action to combat antimicrobial resistance in Viet Nam that was signed in June 2015 by MARD, MOH, FAO, WHO, and the Oxford University. Through this workshop, MARD will be better positioned to be able to adjust policies that lead to better husbandry practices including safe and effective use of antibiotics and antimicrobials”, said Nguyen Xuan Duong, Deputy Director General of Department of Livestock Production, MARD.

Under the United Nations One Plan Initiative, FAO will further collaborate with WHO and support strengthening surveillance capacity for antibiotics at the human-animal-food-environment interface including conducting a survey of antimicrobials in some common food products in Viet Nam.