Ashley Johnson, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) director of food policy, spoke at the United Nations’ multi-stakeholder hearing on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
In background notes on the hearing, the U.N. said that “[w]hile some progress has been achieved over the past years, AMR remains a significant health and developmental challenge, being listed as one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity.”
In the hearing’s session on livestock, Johnson defended pork producers’ stewardship of antimicrobial use, highlighting the industry’s track record of and commitment to working with veterinarians to judiciously use antimicrobials, training farm employees in Pork Quality Assurance Plus, and more. Johnson stressed NPPC’s importance of being a scientific voice to combat ideas of global antimicrobial standards, surveillance, and other potential initiatives that would undermine producer-veterinarian partnerships and subsequent decisions for herd health.
A summary of the hearing will be used as a resource for a “high-level” U.N. meeting on AMR scheduled for Sept. 26.
NPPC’s Take
Pork producers care deeply about the health and well-being of their animals and have a moral obligation to raise them humanely and compassionately. Healthy animals ensure safe food for consumers. NPPC advocates for science-based approaches to swine health and production and opposes efforts to dictate on-farm production practices.
Why it Matters
The multi-stakeholder hearing provided an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the ongoing preparatory process for a high-level U.N. meeting on AMR. Participants exchanged views on key priorities for that meeting and explored challenges and potential solutions needed for effectively addressing AMR.
NPPC’s Johnson Defends Judicious Antimicrobial Use at U.N. Hearing
NPPC’s Ashley Johnson defended pork producers’ stewardship of antimicrobial use at the United Nations’ multi-stakeholder hearing on antimicrobial resistance.
(NPPC)
