Pöördumine

Place du Luxembourg 12, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium Tel. +32 (0) 2 709 1330 Email: [email protected] Mob. +30 6972004963 To: Minister Madis Kallas Minister Riina Sikkut Minister Kristen Michal 12 July 2023 ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IMPOSSIBLE TO TACKLE WITHOUT AMBITIOUS ANIMAL WELFARE REVISION Dear Minister Kallas, Dear Minister Sikkut, Dear Minister Michal, The dangerous phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be an issue high on the EU political agenda, as demonstrated by the European Parliament’s Resolution of 1 June 2023 on EU action to combat antimicrobial resistance (2023/2703(RSP)) and the Council Recommendation on stepping up EU actions to combat antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach (2023/0125NLE). New scientific knowledge is emerging on the harmful public health effects of the misuse and abuse of antimicrobials in animals raised for food. These findings highlight that the risk of such use is not limited to the transfer of resistant pathogens from farmed animals to humans, but goes beyond, compromising innate immune response in people. Against this background, thorough implementation of enacted policies by member states and robust additional measures are the key to meeting the targets set out in the EU Farm to Fork Strategy of a 50% reduction in overall sales of antimicrobials for animals used for food and aquaculture. Despite recently enacted legislation banning routine use of antimicrobials in animals farmed for food in some EU member states, a recent investigation shows sales of critically important antimicrobials for use in animals farmed for food has been increasing. In addition to endangering human health, this undermines trust in the EU food system both domestically and internationally. The different levels of antimicrobial use between EU member states is astounding. Countries with average use of antimicrobials have usage levels 5-10 times higher per livestock unit than those of low users. The highest users, including large producers of animal protein such as Poland, Italy and Spain, have usage levels 10-20 times above those of low users. Even if the situation within the EU itself has shown some improvement, the Union continues to allow imports of animal proteins from countries with a much laxer approach to antimicrobial stewardship. Globally, around 70% of all antimicrobials are used in animals farmed for food, and this is set to increase in the next 10 years. To tackle such a complex and intersectoral issue the Union needs a comprehensive ‘One Health’ approach focusing on the role of EU and global food systems in addressing this grave public health threat. An ambitious revision of animal welfare legislation that the Commission is undertaking is critical for cutting the reliance on antimicrobials that characterises factory farms in most of EU member states. The necessary changes include1: 1 The European Food Safety Authority in 2022 and 2023 has highlighted the risks of transmission of AMR during animal transport, and listed minimum welfare requirements for specific animals, including pigs, broilers, laying hens, dairy cows, calves, ducks, geese and quail.  • avoiding overcrowding and providing sufficient space, including phasing out of cages; • abandoning fully indoor systems of husbandry; • reducing stress; • enabling animals to perform positive natural behaviours; • providing enrichment; • ending the early weaning of piglets; • avoiding excessive group size; • minimising the mixing of animals from different groups; • ending routine mutilations; • maintaining good air quality; • encouraging a move away from genetic selection for high production levels; • minimising transport; • avoiding use of live animal markets. Sustainable consumption in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 must be promoted through clear and mandatory method-of-production labelling for all products containing animal- derived ingredients. Accompanied by necessary oversight of compliance with production requirements, such labelling would help consumers differentiate between high and low animal welfare standards and make better-informed purchasing choices. Importantly, public procurement should strongly favour products with lower levels of antimicrobials involved in their production to ensure public funds are not used to prop up farming practices contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Finally, the EU must ensure that all animal protein available for sale in its internal market complies with the relevant standards of animal welfare and antimicrobial stewardship. Compassion in World Farming EU has prepared a policy brief detailing the current state of play and the measures necessary to deliver a comprehensive and sustained decrease in antimicrobial use by all member states, which we invite you to download here. We call on your government and the responsible ministries to enact and thoroughly implement this three-pronged approach, focused on animal welfare, sustainable consumption and international trade measures, in order to foster comprehensive sustainable food systems that do not rely on continued overuse of antibiotics and other drugs. Yours sincerely, Olga Kikou Head of Compassion in World Farming EU Saatja: CIWF EU <[email protected]> Saadetud: 12.07.2023 13:55 Adressaat: Maaeluministeerium <[email protected]>; <"Riina Sikkut">; <[email protected]> Koopia: <"SM Info"> Teema: Antimicrobial resistance impossible to tackle without ambitious animal welfare revision Manused: image001.jpg; image002.png; image526946.png; image532550.png; image006667.png; image498348.png; image018931.png; image658282.png; image795046.png; image108555.png; image745562.png; image899867.png; CIWF Letter on Antimicrobial Resistance_Estonia.pdf Place du Luxembourg 12, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium Tel. +32 (0) 2 709 1330 Email: [email protected] Mob. +30 6972004963 12 July 2023 ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IMPOSSIBLE TO TACKLE WITHOUT AMBITIOUS ANIMAL WELFARE REVISION Dear Minister Kallas, Dear Minister Sikkut, Dear Minister Michal, The dangerous phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be an issue high on the EU political agenda, as demonstrated by the European Parliament’s Resolution of 1 June 2023 on EU action to combat antimicrobial resistance (2023/2703(RSP)) and the Council Recommendation on stepping up EU actions to combat antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach (2023/0125NLE). New scientific knowledge is emerging on the harmful public health effects of the misuse and abuse of antimicrobials in animals raised for food. These findings highlight that the risk of such use is not limited to the transfer of resistant pathogens from farmed animals to humans, but goes beyond, compromising innate immune response in people. Against this background, thorough implementation of enacted policies by member states and robust additional measures are the key to meeting the targets set out in the EU Farm to Fork Strategy of a 50% reduction in overall sales of antimicrobials for animals used for food and aquaculture. Despite recently enacted legislation banning routine use of antimicrobials in animals farmed for food in some EU member states, a recent investigation shows sales of critically important antimicrobials for use in animals farmed for food has been increasing. In addition to endangering human health, this undermines trust in the EU food system both domestically and internationally. The different levels of antimicrobial use between EU member states is astounding. Countries with average use of antimicrobials have usage levels 5-10 times higher per livestock unit than those of low users. The highest users, including large producers of animal protein such as Poland, Italy and Spain, have usage levels 10-20 times above those of low users. Even if the situation within the EU itself has shown some improvement, the Union continues to allow imports of animal proteins from countries with a much laxer approach to antimicrobial stewardship. Globally, around 70% of all antimicrobials are used in animals farmed for food, and this is set to increase in the next 10 years. To tackle such a complex and intersectoral issue the Union needs a comprehensive ‘One Health’ approach focusing on the role of EU and global food systems in addressing this grave public health threat. An ambitious revision of animal welfare legislation that the Commission is undertaking is critical for cutting the reliance on antimicrobials that characterises factory farms in most of EU member states. The necessary changes include[1]:  avoiding overcrowding and providing sufficient space, including phasing out of cages;  abandoning fully indoor systems of husbandry;  reducing stress;  enabling animals to perform positive natural behaviours;  providing enrichment;  ending the early weaning of piglets;  avoiding excessive group size;  minimising the mixing of animals from different groups;  ending routine mutilations;  maintaining good air quality;  encouraging a move away from genetic selection for high production levels;  minimising transport;  avoiding use of live animal markets. Sustainable consumption in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 must be promoted through clear and mandatory method-of-production labelling for all products containing animal-derived ingredients. Accompanied by necessary oversight of compliance with production requirements, such labelling would help consumers differentiate between high and low animal welfare standards and make better-informed purchasing choices. Importantly, public procurement should strongly favour products with lower levels of antimicrobials involved in their production to ensure public funds are not used to prop up farming practices contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Finally, the EU must ensure that all animal protein available for sale in its internal market complies with the relevant standards of animal welfare and antimicrobial stewardship. Compassion in World Farming EU has prepared a policy brief detailing the current state of play and the measures necessary to deliver a comprehensive and sustained decrease in antimicrobial use by all member states, which we invite you to download here. [1] The European Food Safety Authority in 2022 and 2023 has highlighted the risks of transmission of AMR during animal transport, and listed minimum welfare requirements for specific animals, including pigs, broilers, laying hens, dairy cows, calves, ducks, geese and quail. We call on your government and the responsible ministries to enact and thoroughly implement this three-pronged approach, focused on animal welfare, sustainable consumption and international trade measures, in order to foster comprehensive sustainable food systems that do not rely on continued overuse of antibiotics and other drugs. Yours sincerely, Olga Kikou Head of Compassion in World Farming EU CIWF EU Compassion In World Farming +32 (0)2 709 13 30 [email protected] | www.ciwf.eu Place du Luxembourg 12, Brussels, 1050, Belgium Transparency Register ID Number: 953480437831-04 This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify your system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. WARNING: Although CIWF has taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email, CIWF cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of this email or attachments. CIWF Brussels - registered international non-profit association No. 0694.852.372 You can find out how we use the information you give us in our Privacy Policy