Question Period Note: ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR)

Q1 – How will the Canadian Food Inspection Agency implement the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance and support access to veterinary products to support animal health?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, with other federal partners, engage with stakeholders about the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Action Plan. It will support industry in the development and implementation of sector specific baselines and measurable antimicrobial use reduction goals.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency continues to facilitate access to animal health products including nutritional aids and alternatives to antimicrobial use such as vaccines and promotes infection prevention and control measures and biosecurity measures.

These initiatives are aimed at keeping animals healthy, reducing the need to use antimicrobials, while maintaining a balance with animal welfare.

The Government is committed to continuing its efforts to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance and the importance of using antimicrobials in animals responsibly.
 

The World Health Organization has declared that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s actions to fight against AMR

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), together with Health Canada and stakeholders, is taking action to facilitate access to more products that maintain animal health and reduce the need for routine use of antimicrobials. This includes:

• The new Feeds Regulations, 2024, now allow the addition of veterinary health products to be mixed into animal feed;
• Exploring new international partnerships between the CFIA and like-minded regulatory partners to advance the regulatory harmonization of safe, effective, and quality veterinary biologics; and,
• Creating a regulatory environment that encourages companies to sell new veterinary biologics and new feed products in Canada at the same time as larger markets.
• Supported the completion of an assessment on AMR and Antimicrobial Use (AMU) in food producing animals by the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

The Government of Canada has been working collaboratively on combatting AMR and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including: the livestock feed industry; national producer associations; the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association; federal, provincial, and territorial governments; and veterinary drug manufacturers regarding actions needed to keep animals healthy and reduce the need to use antimicrobials.

This stakeholder community is supportive of Canada’s action plan to combat the spread of AMR.

United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on AMR political declaration

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High Level Meeting (HLM) on AMR was held on September 26, 2024.

The key outcome of the HLM was the adoption of a Political Declaration that highlighted key areas of action including, strengthening governance and accountability, supporting research, innovation and equitable access; enhancing integrated One Health AMR/AMU surveillance; establishing targets and goals for human health in accordance with national contexts, increasing implementation of IPC measures; facilitating prudent and responsible AMU through stewardship initiatives and the creation of an independent panel for evidence on AMR.

• The Government is taking action to address the threat that antimicrobial resistance poses to human and animal health.

• The Government of Canada is taking action to facilitate access to more products that maintain animal health and reduce the need for routine use of antimicrobials.

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency takes a One Health approach by recognizing the interconnections between people, animals, plants and their shared environment.