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?
Q2 – How does the Canadian Food Inspection Agency support science to identify innovative solutions for antimicrobial resistance?
Q3. How does the Canadian Food Inspection Agency collaborate internationally to address antimicrobial resistance?

R1 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, with other federal partners, continue to 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 enhanced biosecurity measures.

These initiatives are aimed at keeping animals healthy, reducing the need to use antimicrobials, while maintaining a balance with animal welfare and supporting food security for Canadians.

The Government is committed to continuing its efforts to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance and the importance of using antimicrobials in animals responsibly.
R2 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency collaborates with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in research and development on antimicrobial resistance/antimicrobial use, as well as co-leading a comprehensive approach to antimicrobial resistance, integrating human, animal and environmental health (Genomics Research and Development Initiative (GRDI) Antimicrobial Resistance - One Health (AMR-OH) (2022–2027).
Through the Genomics Research and Development project, antimicrobial resistance researchers gain a better understanding of the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in human, animal, plant and the environment to preserve the effectiveness of the antimicrobials that Canadians rely on every day.
R3 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency collaborates with international partners through a range of fora—including the G7 Chief Veterinary Officers meeting and Quads Alliance meetings—to advance global efforts to address antimicrobial resistance.
At the G7 Chief Veterinary Officers meeting hosted by Canada in November 2025, discussions highlighted the importance of biosecurity, vaccination, and zoning as key infection prevention and control measures. These approaches help strengthen animal health and reduce the need for antimicrobial use. Antimicrobial resistance is a clear example of an issue where a One Health approach is essential to ensure coordination across sectors and with international partners while promoting the prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials worldwide.

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 livestock 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.
• 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 biologic 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 Infection Prevention and Control measures; facilitating prudent and responsible AMU through stewardship initiatives and the creation of an independent panel for evidence on AMR.

• The Government of Canada is taking action on the threat that antimicrobial resistance has on humans and animal health.
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency uses a One Health approach by recognizing links between people, animals, plants and their shared environment
• The Government is working to increase access to more products, such as vaccines, that support animal health and reduce reliance on antimicrobials use in food producing animals.