AIC at 20: Helping industry tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in livestock
As AIC marks 20 years as the UK agri-supply industry’s leading trade association, we're looking back at some of its greatest achievements since it was founded in 2003.
Each week throughout 2023, we’ll explore a major achievement where AIC represented its Member businesses, promoted the benefits of modern commercial agriculture in the UK, and supported collaboration throughout the food chain.
This World AMR Awareness Week (18-24 November), find out how AIC supports a cross-industry effort to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in UK livestock.
Meeting the challenge
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is one of the most important challenges facing our species which is why the issue has been met with a robust and rigorous response to address the problem before it creates far-reaching consequences for animal and human health.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. This makes infections harder to tackle, heightening the risk of disease spreading and weakening our ability to treat sickness in humans and livestock effectively.
As a proactive member of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), AIC works to assist the industry-wide effort to address the risks of AMR build-up in livestock.
Formed in 1997 as an independent non-profit group, RUMA promotes the highest standards of food safety, animal health and animal welfare.
It brings together organisations from all parts of the UK livestock supply chain and promotes a co-ordinated and integrated approach to best practice in the use of medicines. Find out more on the RUMA website.
Professional development
AIC promotes best practice on responsible medicines use in livestock through its Feed Adviser Register (FAR) network, which was set up 10 years ago.
Continuous professional development (CPD) of registered feed advisers on important topics such as AMR helps foster quality on-farm advice. The FAR core modules provide training and confirm registered feed advisers' knowledge of AMR as well as other fundamental animal health issues.
Learn more about the FAR by watching the video below, and by visiting the FAR webpage.
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Visit the AIC at 20 webpage for more content like this.
Authors
Oli Hill
As Head of Communications, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media. A qualified multimedia journalist, he previously spent six years working at Farmers Weekly magazine as a Senior Reporter on the arable team, and latterly as Community Editor. More recently he was Communications Manager at Red Tractor.
James McCulloch
Sue Whittington
Sue is a Technical Manager for AIC Services. She is responsible for the Feed Adviser Register (FAR), the AIC Sustainability Programme and responsible sourcing and the Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) Laboratory Proficiency Testing Programme.
