The European Parliament voted yesterday on the delegated act on antimicrobials for human use. By rejected the motion that would have banned certain antibiotics to be used for animals, the MEPs’ showed support for the EU’s One Health approach to addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

EGGVP is relieved that the European Parliament leaned on scientific knowledge and supported Commission’s proposal for the delegated act on the criteria for the designation of antimicrobials to be reserved for humans as advised by the EMA, and supported by the member states. As a result, farm and companion animals continue to have access to specific life-saving treatments.

The majority of the MEPs understood the importance of animal health and possibility to treat them if needed, and the connection to public health, food safety, food security and the environment, and did not let national politics interfere the EU level law-making.

EGGVP, within EPRUMA, will look to the European Parliament to support the implementation of wider EU policies affecting animal health and welfare, building on the scientific advice of the EU’s agencies, and seeking a careful balance for the protection of human and animal health, as well as our environment.