Axfoundation is working to reduce the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing problem worldwide and is a threat to the health of animals and humans. To raise the level of knowledge concerning both the issue and the available solutions, the Swedish University of Agriculture and Future Learn in collaboration with Axfoundation have developed a Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) in efficient livestock production with low use of antibiotics. To date, more than 2,000 people from 130 countries have taken the free-of-cost opportunity. The course is now available for more participants to join.
Efficient livestock production requires healthy animals. In many countries, this has led to extensive and often inappropriate use of antibiotics, which may contribute to increasing antibiotic resistance. Every year, drug-resistant infections – exacerbated by antibiotic overuse in humans, livestock and agriculture – kill 700, 000 people across the globe. If dramatic action isn’t taken soon, United Nations report warns this number could skyrocket, reaching 10 million deaths annually by 2050. All players within the food chain have a responsibility for minimizing the spreading of antibiotic resistance among the food producing animals, since the largest use of antibiotics today is within animal agriculture.
The MOOC is mainly addressed towards livestock keepers and professionals working in the livestock production sector in low-income countries and emerging economies worldwide. The course teaches how basic disease preventive measures in combination with sensible use of antibiotics can sustain or even increase the livestock production and limit the emergence of antibiotic resistance.
Axfoundation gathers the food retailers and antibiotics experts
Axfoundation has been working for several years to reduce the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals. In addition to contributing to the online course on antibiotics, Axfoundation has, together with the Swedish food retailers, food service and leading experts, developed a comprehensive list of demands that buyers can make regarding antibiotic usage and animal welfare. Today, Axfoundation is working to spread these criteria to reach transformative change.