In an effort to combat the global issue of antimicrobial resistance, Cyprus is actively working to reduce the use of antimicrobial drugs in its livestock sector. This initiative is backed by targeted programmes and European Union funding, aiming to address a problem responsible for millions of deaths worldwide annually. Cyprus remains the leading EU country in the consumption of antimicrobials for animals. However, significant progress has been made in recent years through targeted interventions. Over the weekend of July 6-7, European trainers conducted a two-day workshop in Larnaca on the proper use of antimicrobial substances. The training was organised in collaboration with the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, and funded by the European Commission. In light of this seminar, stakeholders and trainers spoke to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) about Cyprus' progress and ongoing challenges. EU goals and Cyprus' progress ------------------------- Accord ing to Eurostat data, antimicrobial resistance caused 2,100 deaths in the EU and 89 in Cyprus in 2020. The economic impact on health systems is estimated at pound 1 billion annually, as reported by the OECD. The EU has set a target to reduce antimicrobial use by 50% by 2030, a goal Cyprus is striving to meet. Speaking to CNA, Christodoulos Pipis, Director of Veterinary Services, highlighted the objective of significantly reducing the use of antimicrobials by farmers and veterinary health officials. 23.4% reduction in antimicrobial sales ----------------------------------------- Pipis explained that the issue of excessive and irrational use of antimicrobials primarily stemmed from pig and poultry farming. To address this, the Veterinary Services, in collaboration with the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation, established an intervention aimed at reducing antibiotic use as part of the Common Agricultural Policy schemes for 2023-2027. This intervention involved three-year strategic actions in pig farms , including contracting private veterinarians, annual vaccination programmes, implementing approved biosecurity plans, and assessing animal health through laboratory investigations. Successful implementation led to a 23.4% reduction in annual antimicrobial sales in participating farms. "A key factor in reducing antimicrobial use is the awareness of the seriousness of this issue by all stakeholders and their positive and conscious participation in this collective effort," Pipis told CNA. Similar actions will be extended to poultry farming and subsequently to other animal species, such as ruminants, companion animals, and rabbits. Additionally, an electronic prescription system is being planned to enable real-time monitoring and evaluation of prescribing behaviours. Pipis assured that meat and meat products available in the market are safe for human consumption from a health perspective, considering animal welfare, meat inspection, and antimicrobial use levels. This assurance is based on routine checks condu cted by Veterinary Services and intensive inspections during Christmas, Easter, and mid-August, as well as a surveillance program for antimicrobial residues implemented according to EU legislation. Any samples exceeding permissible limits are confiscated and destroyed. 50% reduction in antibiotic use in pig farms --------------------------------------------- Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Andreas Grigoriou, underlined the importance of rational antimicrobial use. "As the years go by, there seems to be an increasing antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, in order to reduce this resistance their use should be appropriate, prescribed by experts and veterinarians, only when necessary," he noted. He further spoke of a positive trend in recent years, particularly with a 50% reduction in antibiotic use in pig farms through the programme implemented by Veterinary Services in collaboration with pig farmers. Katerina Hadjikyriakou, Vice President of the Pancyprian Association of Pig Farmers, con firmed this progress. She attributed the reduction to incentives provided by the Common Agricultural Policy plans, encouraging farmers to make this effort. Currently, very few pig farmers remain outside the plan. Dimitris Paradisiotis of "Paradisiotis" poultry farms, who also participated in the training, referred to the biosecurity measures taken at their facilities. "By reducing the microbial load within and outside the premises, diseases are less likely to spread, reducing the need for antimicrobial drugs," he explained. Increased interest from stakeholders ------------------- Monica Zabala, project manager for the European Commission's antimicrobial reduction training across the EU, noted that interest in Cyprus exceeded initial estimates, with approximately 75 participants. Zabala highlighted that two years ago, Cyprus had one of the highest levels of antimicrobial consumption per kilo of meat in the EU. However, recent case studies presented during the training showed significant reductions in ant imicrobial use by Cypriot farmers, with one major pig farm achieving a 95% reduction in antibiotic use. Italian coordinator of the project Massenzio Fornasier, Vice President of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), clarified that while complete elimination of antibiotics is impossible, their use must be prudent and only when truly necessary. "We need to have a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment based on that diagnosis," he stressed. Fornasier also addressed the specific challenges faced by Cypriot farmers, such as high summer temperatures and water quality issues, challenges which other southern European countries are also faced with. 'If you want to reduce the use of antimicrobials you have to work a lot in improving husbandry, improving the techniques that you use to keep the animals, improving the temperatures, the humidity, the cleaning procedure. All this procedure requires time and resources' he said. Michalis Kakanis, one of the trainers and a veterinarian in the Central Macedon ia region of Greece, highlighted the high level of participation and active dialogue regarding the implementation of European regulations. "I am confident that an active collaboration network will develop among all involved parties to ensure the protection of animal health and public health," he stated. Veterinarians call for EU law enforcement and vaccine shortage fix --------------------------------------------- Vice President of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association Nektaria Ioannou Arsenoglou, highlighted the crucial role of veterinarians in the proper use of antibiotics. She expressed confidence in achieving reduction goals, despite different climatic conditions compared to northern countries. She called for the implementation of Article 25 of the European animal health law, mandating regular clinical checks by veterinarians in all animal facilities. "With this application, we will achieve much better results in the future," she said. She also emphasized the need to address vaccine shortages due to changes in drug laws, ensuring the tools for disease prevention are available to avoid excessive antimicrobial use. Source: Cyprus News Agency