Responsible Use Of Antibiotics In Aquaculture

Antibiotics are drugs of natural or synthetic origin that have the capacity to kill or to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms. Antibiotics that are sufficiently non-toxic to the host are used as chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of infectious diseases of humans, animals and plants. They have long been present in the environment and have played a crucial role in the battle between man and microbe. Many bacterial species multiply rapidly enough to double their numbers every 20-30 minutes, so their ability to adapt to changes in the environment and survive unfavourable conditions often results in the development of mutations that enable the species to survive changing external conditions. Another factor contributing to their adaptability is that individual cells do not rely on their own genetic resources. Many, if not all, have access to a large pool of itinerant genes that move from one bacteria cell to another and spread through bacterial populations through a variety of mobile genetic elements, of which plasmids and transposable elements are two examples. The capacity of bacteria to adapt to changes in their environment and thus survive is called resistance. Drug choices for the treatment of common infectious diseases are becoming increasingly limited and expensive and, in some cases, unavailable due to the emergence of drug resistance in bacteria and fungi - resistance that is threatening to reverse much medical progress of the past 50 years. Dissemination of resistant micro-organisms may occur in both hospitals and communities. It is recognized that a major route of transmission of resistant microorganisms from animals to humans is through the food chain. In aquaculture, antibiotics have been used mainly for therapeutic purposes and as prophylactic agents. The contribution to antimicrobial resistance of antibiotics used in aquaculture is reviewed here, using a risk analysis framework. Some recommendations on responsible conduct in this context are proposed, aimed at diminishing the threat of build up of antimicrobial resistance.

These Technical Guidelines on the Prudent and Responsible Use of Veterinary Medicines in Aquaculture (No. 5 Suppl. 8) are developed to support Section 9 – Aquaculture Development of FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) and The FAO Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2016–2020. They also support the international aquatic animal health standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the food safety standards of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius and the One Health platform under the FAO/OIE/WHO Tripartite Collaboration on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Their objective is to assist countries in encouraging the prudent and responsible use of veterinary medicines (antimicrobials and other chemotherapeutants) in aquaculture production through appropriate government regulation and the promotion and encouragement of awareness and responsible use by the private sector. They emphasize, among the guiding principles, that responsible use of veterinary medicines in aquaculture requires collaboration among all stakeholders and a strong commitment to governance, awareness, best practices, surveillance and research, including monitoring of AMR, tracking of antimicrobial usage (AMU), assessing risk in different settings and evaluating strategies to reduce AMR and maintain efficacy of antimicrobials. They provide general guidance on the use of veterinary medicines in aquaculture to responsible government agencies, private-sector aquaculture producers and aquatic animal health professionals.

The dramatic intensification and diversification of global aquaculture has made aquaculture an important food-producing sector, providing an essential source of aquatic protein for a growing human population. The sector is recognised as creator of jobs and an important source of foreign export earnings for both developed and developing countries. However, the expanded global movements of live aquatic animals have been accompanied by the transboundary spread of a wide variety of pathogens necessitating the routine use of veterinary medicines to prevent and treat disease outbreaks, assure healthy stocks and maximise production. The use of appropriate antimicrobial treatments is one of the most effective management responses to such emergencies, but their inappropriate use can lead to increased frequency of bacterial resistance, potential transfer of resistance genes in bacteria from the aquatic environment to other bacteria, and the occurrence of bacterial residues in aquaculture products resulting in bans by importing countries. The FAO/AAHRI Expert Workshop on Improving Biosecurity through Prudent and Responsible Use of Veterinary Medicines in Aquatic Food Production was convened in Bangkok, Thailand, from 15 to 18 December 2009, to understand the current status of the use of antimicrobials in aquaculture, and to discuss the concerns and impacts of their irresponsible use on human health, the aquatic environment and trade. The discussions became the basis for drafting recommendations targeted at government and private sectors, and for developing guiding principles on the responsible use of antimicrobials in aquaculture to be considered as part of future FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries on Prudent and Responsible Use of Veterinary Medicines in Aquaculture. Part 1 of this publication contains 15 technical background papers presented during the expert workshop, contributed by 29 specialists. Part 2 contains the highlights of the expert workshop. Because aquaculture is expected to continue to increase its contribution to the world's production of aquatic food, offer opportunities to alleviate poverty, increase employment and community development, and reduce overexploitation of natural aquatic resources, appropriate guidance to aquaculture stakeholders on the responsible use of veterinary medicines has become essential. Safe and effective veterinary medicines need to be available for efficient aquaculture production, and their use should be in line with established principles on prudent use to safeguard public and animal health. The use of such medicines should be part of national and on-farm biosecurity plans and in accordance with an overall national policy for sustainable aquaculture.

The book Antibiotic Use in Animals has everything said in the title, but it is not only meant for the veterinarians. It is intended to be used also by the medical doctors, animal owners, consumers of food of animal origin, etc. The book has five sections: "Introduction," "Use of Antibiotics in Animals," "Antibiotics and Nutrition," "Probiotics," and "Antimicrobial Resistance." Each of the sections discusses about one side of the antibiotic usage. Each group of authors has dedicated their work to one of the topics with key roles of antibiotics in the health of animals and public health in general. This book is a work of scientists and researchers in the topic of antibiotic use, and with this book, we hope to open new questions and deepen the research on roles of antibiotics in everyday life.

WHO has launched new guidelines on use of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals, recommending that farmers and the food industry stop using antibiotics routinely to promote growth and prevent disease in healthy animals. These guidelines aim to help preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics that are important for human medicine by reducing their use in animals.

Maintaining ideal fish health and production, both of farmed and wild fish populations, requires continuous infrastructural and process upgrades to avoid significant losses as well as to facilitate seafood safety. Aquaculture is multidisciplinary in nature, combining knowledge from biology, veterinary medicine and food technology. Practical Notions on Fish Health and Production brings an integrated approach concerning practical aspects of ichthyology, fish health and aquaculture systems. The textbook will give readers a better understanding of issues related to the management of fish health and production, seafood processing, security, quality and safety. The book is organized in three sections which cover 1) general aspects of fish biology and development, 2) fish diseases and veterinary medicine, and 3) aquaculture and marine food supply chain management. Practical Notions on Fish Health and Production is an essential text for students, food industry professionals and novice fish farmers undertaking courses or training programs in veterinary medicine, aquaculture, and marine food processing systems.

The use of drugs in food animal production has resulted in benefits throughout the food industry; however, their use has also raised public health safety concerns. The Use of Drugs in Food Animals provides an overview of why and how drugs are used in the major food-producing animal industriesâ€"poultry, dairy, beef, swine, and aquaculture. The volume discusses the prevalence of human pathogens in foods of animal origin. It also addresses the transfer of resistance in animal microbes to human pathogens and the resulting risk of human disease. The committee offers analysis and insight into these areas: Monitoring of drug residues. The book provides a brief overview of how the FDA and USDA monitor drug residues in foods of animal origin and describes quality assurance programs initiated by the poultry, dairy, beef, and swine industries. Antibiotic resistance. The committee reports what is known about this controversial problem and its potential effect on human health. The volume also looks at how drug use may be minimized with new approaches in genetics, nutrition, and animal management.

Published in Cooperation with THE UNITED STATES AQUACULTURE SOCIETY The rapid growth of aquaculture worldwide and domestically has caused concerns over social and environmental impacts. Environmental advocacy groups and government regulatory agencies have called for better management to address potentially negative impacts and assure sustainable aquaculture development. Best Management Practices (BMPs) combine sound science, common sense, economics, and site-specific management to mitigate or prevent adverse environmental impacts. Environmental Best Management Practices for Aquaculture will provide technical guidance to improve the environmental performance of aquaculture. This book will be the only comprehensive guide to BMPs for mitigation of environmental impacts of aquaculture in the United States. The book addresses development and implementation of BMPs, BMPs for specific aquaculture production systems, and the economics of implementing best management practices. Written by internationally recognized experts in environmental management and aquaculture from academia, government, and non-governmental organizations, this book will be a valuable reference for innovative producers, policy makers, regulators, research scientists, and students.