More Poultry Associations Join International Effort to Cut Antimicrobial Use in Poultry

By Chris Dall

Seven more groups involved in poultry production have signed on to an international effort to reduce the use of antimicrobials on poultry farms.

The organizations, which include poultry associations from several European countries and fast-food giant Yum! Brands, announced yesterday that they'll adopt principles developed by the Transformational Strategies for Farm Risk Output Mitigation (TRANSFORM) project to ensure the proper use of antimicrobials on poultry farms. Funded by the US Agency for International Development, the project is led by a consortium that includes Cargill, Heifer International, and the International Poultry Council (IPC) and uses antimicrobial stewardship principles developed by the IPC.

The principles encourage adopters to commit to taking action in four key areas: (1) taking a risk-based approach around each instance of antimicrobial use, (2) adopting farm management practices that improve animal health and reduce the need for antimicrobials, (3) using antimicrobials only in compliance with national authorizations, and (4) using medically important antibiotics only under a supervising veterinarian's diagnosis and oversight.

Sending a message about stewardship

A total of 26 organizations have now signed on to TRANSFORM, representing more than 40% of global poultry meat production. Launched in 2021, the project has provided training to more than 80,000 farmers in India and Kenya.

"By proactively supporting science-based antimicrobial use principles, the private sector is sending a clear message that antimicrobial stewardship is good business," IPC President Ricardo Santin said in a Cargill press release. "We hope others are inspired to make the same commitments to stewardship, adopting science-based practices that both improve animal health and deliver benefits to their bottom line."