Canada's Leadership in Antimicrobial Resistance in Animal Health
What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue resulting from the use of antimicrobials (antibiotics) in both humans and animals. Recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the top ten public health threats, addressing AMR requires a One Health approach that considers the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment. AMR is a One Health issue because the health of animals, humans, and the environment are intricately connected, and resistance in one area can significantly impact the others.
AMR occurs when microbes, such as bacteria, evolve to resist the drugs designed to kill them. In both human and animal health, this means that infections caused by these resistant microbes become harder or even impossible to treat with standard antimicrobial medications.
Mitigating the Impacts of AMR
In addition to ensuring robust stewardship and prudent use of antimicrobials on-farm, one of the best ways to reduce the use of antimicrobials is to ensure Canadian farmers and veterinarians have access to the widest, and most varied range of veterinary tools possible. This includes alternatives to those antimicrobials currently approved for use in Canada, and tools from other categories, such as veterinary health products, feed and water additives, vaccines, parasiticides and pesticides that help maintain animal health, and livestock feeds.
Canadian farmers, veterinarians, and product manufacturers are committed to working with government to address these barriers and improving access to these critical tools – while simultaneously working to improve on-farm stewardship and use of antimicrobials.
The impact
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Increased Illness and Mortality: Resistant infections in livestock and poultry lead to longer, more severe illnesses and higher death rates.
Reduced Treatment Efficacy: Standard veterinary treatments become less effective, requiring more expensive and potent drugs.
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Higher Veterinary Costs: Farmers and animal owners face increased expenses for treatments and extended care.
Loss of Productivity: Illness in livestock and poultry reduces productivity, affecting food supply and increasing costs.
The Growing Economic Burden of AMR: In 2018, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) cost the healthcare system about $1.4 billion and hurt Canada’s economy by $2 billion. If things don’t change, by 2050, AMR could cost up to $21 billion each year due to impacts on labour productivity. This could lead to a total loss of $388 billion in Canada’s economy by 2050. -
Zoonotic Transmission: Resistant bacteria can transfer from animals to humans and vice versa, posing a public health risk. This could happen through consumption of contaminated water or food, or direct contact with animals.
*It's important to note that the bidirectional transfer from humans to animals is not part of the definition of zoonoses, but an indication of the bidirectional nature of transmission.Adherence to food safety practices, including rigorous hand hygiene and proper cooking temperatures, is essential for mitigating the risk of antimicrobial resistance transmission.
About Animal Health Canada
Animal Health Canada unites veterinary professionals, producers, and industry partners to promote responsible antimicrobial use, ensuring animal welfare and the safety of our food supply.
AHC’s Canadian Animal Health AMU/AMR Leadership Team will provide strategic guidance in the agri-food and animal health sectors by leading and coordinating activities in relation to responsible antimicrobial use (AMU) and minimizing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) challenges for sustainable animal health and welfare in the Canadian context.
This team is dedicated to effective, transparent, and ongoing communication with stakeholders and will engage in initiatives to raise awareness about its activities.
Through collaboration with stakeholders, this team will actively engage in the evolving landscape of AMR in its global interconnection with animal, human, and environmental health. In collaboration with our diverse partners, we guide a cohesive and responsive farmed animal health and welfare system across Canada.
Learn more about the Canadian Animal Health AMU/AMR Leadership Team.
About Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS)
The Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS) is a distinct division of Animal Health Canada. The CAHSS Antimicrobial Use and Resistance Surveillance Network provides a forum for diverse One Health stakeholders to share information and work collaboratively on safeguarding the effectiveness of antimicrobials to promote sustainable animal health practices in Canada.
The Pan-Canadian Action Plan on AMR
In response to the escalating threat of AMR, the Government of Canada, in partnership with federal, provincial, and territorial partners, developed the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (PCAP), released in June 2023. This five-year roadmap builds upon the progress already being made by Canada’s agricultural community and outlines multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral actions against AMR.
Animal Health Canada, in close collaboration with partners, leads the implementation of the PCAP in animal health, engaging in global collaborations to address AMR and continuously updating industry knowledge on antimicrobial use (AMU) and resistance, identifying achievements, ongoing programs, and gaps.
Infection Prevention and Control in Canada (IPAC)
Infection prevention and control is crucial for maintaining animal health and mitigating antimicrobial resistance. This involves implementing robust biosecurity measures that ensure animals remain healthy through proper nutrition and other health-enhancing practices.
By adhering to comprehensive biosecurity standards, you reduce the risk of illness and the need for antimicrobial treatments. IPAC Canada collaborates closely with provincial and federal governments to develop and uphold these biosecurity standards nationwide. This partnership strengthens efforts to prevent infections and aligns with goals to minimize antimicrobial use, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for both animals and humans.
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is a comprehensive approach that emphasizes the role of veterinarians producers, and regulators in promoting appropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) in animals. It involves coordinated interventions aimed at promoting, improving, monitoring, and evaluating AMU to preserve antimicrobial effectiveness while ensuring the health and welfare of animals.
Animal Health Canada's efforts are powered by its distinct divisions, dedicated members and partners across the country, with these examples highlighting a subset of our involved members.
Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI)
CAHI has a proud history of actively supporting antimicrobial stewardship initiatives. Their efforts include lobbying Health Canada to enhance regulatory oversight, removing growth promotion claims from product labels, and creating a responsible use logo for veterinary products. CAHI collaborates with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC) to raise awareness and support regulatory changes.
Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC)
Launched in 2012, The Chicken Farmers of Canada’s Responsible Antimicrobial Use (AMU) Strategy promotes the responsible use of approved antimicrobials, meeting consumer expectations, protecting bird health, and preserving treatment options.
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
SAVI, the Stewardship of Antimicrobials by Veterinarians Initiative, is a program managed by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, supported by the Canadian government, providing veterinarians with knowledge and tools for responsible antimicrobial use across various animal species.
The Stewardship of Antimicrobials for Veterinarians Initiative (SAVI), led by the CVMA and funded by various Canadian agencies, provides broad antimicrobial guidelines for veterinary use through the Firstline platform. This platform is supported by multiple funding sources, including the University of Calgary and CIHR, with additional guidelines funded by the Ontario Veterinary College and the University of Guelph.
Canadian Pork Council (CPC)
The Canadian Pork Council plays a key role in addressing AMR and AMU.
CPC has been running the PigSAFE and PigCARE programs under its Canadian Pork Excellence platform for over 20 years, which includes a policy that states its commitment to the responsible and proper use of veterinary pharmaceuticals in food animals.
CPC also participates in several initiatives:
Selected pork producers participate through questionnaires administered by the herd veterinarian in the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS).
Participation in Canadian Animal Health AMU/AMR Leadership Team.
Participation in Canadian Animal Health Products Regulatory Advisory Committee (CAHPRAC).
Read about the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS).
Canadian Cattle Association (CCA)
Canadian beef cattle producers, veterinarians, and value chain partners collaborate to manage antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by treating as few animals as necessary for effective disease control and ensuring proper training for those administering antimicrobials. This approach ensures adherence to prescription and label instructions for responsible antimicrobial use.
Read the CCA’s official statement on antimicrobial stewardship.
Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC)
ANAC plays a crucial role in antimicrobial stewardship by promoting responsible antimicrobial use in livestock feeds. They collaborate with Health Canada and the government to provide industry resources and ensure compliance with both Canadian and international regulations.
Government of Quebec
The Quebec government’s webpage promotes responsible antibiotic use in animal health, emphasizing their necessity for treating bacterial infections while warning about antibiotic resistance. It stresses consulting veterinarians, precise dosing, and following the "Five R’s" approach: Responsibility, Reduction, Refinement, Replacement, and Revision. Safe disposal of medications is also highlighted to protect health and the environment.
The Canadian Feedlot AMU/AMR Surveillance Program (CFASSP)
CFASSP is a national surveillance program that monitors antimicrobial use and resistance in Canadian feedlot cattle, crucial for both animal and human health. The program provides provincial and national estimates of antimicrobial use (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), tracks trends over time, investigates emerging AMR patterns, and assesses health risks to promote antimicrobial stewardship.
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC)
DFC partners with the Canadian Dairy Network for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Resistance (CaDNetASR) to monitor and manage antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in dairy farming. This initiative is part of the broader Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). Since 2019, the program has involved visiting 144 dairy farms across five provinces annually to gather data on antimicrobial use from electronic and paper records. DFC's proAction® initiative, mandatory for all Canadian dairy farms, includes six modules designed to ensure high standards in dairy farming.
DFC advocates for increased access to a wide variety of veterinary tools and products so that Canada’s farmers and veterinarians can work to prevent and control illness with less reliance on antimicrobials important to human medicine.
Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA)
As the professional regulatory organization for the veterinary profession in Alberta, ABVMA has a role to play in preparing members as well as informing and educating the public and producers.
In addition to ongoing information and resources for members, ABVMA has carried out various campaigns and events pertaining to antimicrobial stewardship. These include Time is Running Out, Traceability and Raised with Care.
Raised with Care Stewardship podcasts launched in 2020 targeted to producers, followed by the Raised with Care, Stewards of the Land documentary, released in 2021.
In 2016, and again in 2021, ABVMA hosted One-Health Antimicrobial Stewardship Conferences to bring together experts in fields across animal, human and environmental health. Details of those events are captured at ohab.ca.
College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO)
The College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO), guided by its College Council, has taken significant steps to address the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by promoting responsible antimicrobial use (AMU) within the veterinary profession.
The College Council, recognizing the serious threat posed by the extensive use of antimicrobial drugs, has emphasized the veterinary profession's crucial role in combating AMR. The Council's position statement underscores the responsibility of veterinarians to act as stewards, ensuring that antimicrobial drugs are prescribed and used judiciously, based on strong clinical evidence and within the framework of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
To support veterinarians in this vital role, the CVO provides resources and guidance that advance antimicrobial stewardship, ensuring that veterinarians are well-informed about evolving science and best practices.
Learn about the CVO’s stewardship here.
Canadian Initiatives
The Farmed Animal Antimicrobial Stewardship Initiative (FAAST)
The Farmed Animal Antimicrobial Stewardship (FAAST) Initiative, a collaboration among the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, government, academic, and industry partners, equips farmed animal owners and veterinarians with essential news, tools, and resources to combat antimicrobial resistance. FAAST enhances antimicrobial stewardship in food animals, prepares stakeholders for policy changes, and ensures the efficacy of antimicrobials while maintaining animal health and food safety.
Aquaculture
The Canadian aquaculture industry is dedicated to responsible antimicrobial use and combating bacterial resistance through advanced preventive measures. Despite limited treatment options, aquaculture has adopted sophisticated health practices, including high vaccination rates, tailored nutrition, and environmental controls to maintain fish health and reduce antibiotic use.
Aquaculture relies heavily on diagnostic testing and routine monitoring including confirmatory and sensitivity testing for appropriate treatment of bacterial disease, and with the help of technology, they are able to achieve high standards of fish care.
The industry’s response to challenges, such as the 2021 lactococcosis outbreak, highlights its commitment to innovation and collaboration. Initial antibiotic use was followed by a rapid collaboration between producers and researchers to develop and implement a new vaccine. The industry then invested in necessary equipment to vaccinate large trout populations leading to a decrease in mortality rates from lactococcosis.