Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in Poultry

Abstract

An increase in market demand for poultry is driving indiscriminate use of antibiotic agents. Exposure toantibiotics reduces animal and human immunity to currently curable diseases, a phenomenon known as antimicrobial resistance. Unchecked antibiotic use results in environmental contamination through poultry waste and effluents, affecting farms as well as their surroundings. The resulting antimicrobial resistance renders human farmers, their neighbours, as well as consumers, more vulnerable to outbreaks of mutant diseases. This policy brief describes investigations of the environmental conditions in poultry farms in Baramati district of Maharashtra. Based on the findings, it outlines measures to combat antimicrobial resistance in poultry farm environments by: Enforcing environment and food safety guidelines Empowering farmers to reduce antibiotic use Engaging agencies in antimicrobial resistance monitoring