Antibiotic resistance is a global and real threat in the veterinary sector, because when antibiotics lose their effectiveness, treating animals becomes more difficult, longer and more expensive, and bacteria are transmitted to humans, through contact with them, the living environment or food.
This was assessed for "Vijesti" by the director of the Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs Administration. Vladimir Djakovic, on the occasion of World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week.
He said that AMR is of enormous importance in their sector because it affects animal health, food safety and public health, and the transmission of resistant bacteria makes the problem complex and requires a "One Health" approach.
Although the data on the consumption of antimicrobial drugs in the veterinary sector is encouraging, it suggests that strict controls must continue.
"In 2023, antibiotic sales amounted to 501,1 kilograms, while in 2024 they fell to 377 kilograms. This represents a significant decrease and shows that our efforts are yielding results. 'Tetracyclines' are most commonly used, while a decline in sales of 'aminoglycosides' is noted. The use of antibiotics from the EMA 'restrict' category is still recorded, which means that we must continue with even stricter control and supervision measures," said Đaković.
He says that monitoring of antibiotic use has been carried out since 2023 in full accordance with EU Decision 2020/1729, and from 2025, they will also introduce MRSA control in pigs.
"The data show a high level of resistance to 'ciprofloxacin' and some degree of resistance to third-generation 'cephalosporins'. These drugs are of critical importance for human medicine and their use in the veterinary sector must be strictly limited. We are using these results as a basis for targeted interventions, education and strengthening of biosecurity measures," he stressed.
Đaković reminds that Montenegro has committed to reducing the sale of antimicrobials by 50 percent by 2030. This, he claims, is an ambitious but feasible goal.
"As part of the NIKRA program, we are preparing a series of measures related to the control of veterinary drug trade, strengthening the legislative framework, education, biosecurity on farms, and improving monitoring. We are implementing all these activities together with the Ministry of Agriculture and other institutions," he explains.
When asked what the new Law on Medicines will change in practice, Đaković reminds that one of the most important legal steps is in the fight against AMR.
"From 2026, the routine use of antibiotics, their use as a substitute for poor hygiene conditions or growth promotion will be prohibited. A veterinarian will only be able to prescribe antibiotics after examining the animal, the prescription will only be valid for five days, and any prophylaxis or metaphylaxis must be clearly justified. Precise monitoring of antibiotic consumption will also be introduced, including the transmission of data to the European Medicines Agency," he stressed.
Asked how veterinarians and farmers can contribute to reducing resistance, Đaković said that the key is rational use, and that veterinarians should follow the EMA categorization and use category D antibiotics as the first choice, while categories B and C must be backup options.
"Farmers can contribute a lot by improving biosecurity, housing conditions, hygiene, vaccination and disease prevention. Soon, in cooperation with the Institute for Medicines and Medical Devices, we will publish materials and guides that will facilitate the application of these rules in practice," he said.
According to the Director of the Administration, in the coming period, harmonisation with EU regulations will continue, control of the use of antimicrobials will be strengthened, the national resistance monitoring programme will be implemented and the education of veterinarians and farmers will be strengthened. He claims that strengthening biosecurity on farms, reducing the need for antibiotics and establishing a national reference laboratory for AMR are particularly important.
"Our goal is clear, to protect human and animal health and to ensure sustainable and safe food production. Antimicrobial resistance is a silent but dangerous threat. We can only successfully control it if we all, veterinarians, farmers, institutions and consumers, take our share of responsibility," concluded Đaković.
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