The UK government published a report which found that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) may cause up to 10 million deaths per year by 2050. The report called for a number of steps to be taken including limits on antibiotic use in agriculture. In addition, the issue of AMR was high on the agenda when the leaders of the G7 met in Japan on 26-27 May. Furthermore, the G20 Agricultural Ministers meeting in China on 3^rd June agreed to phase out antibiotics as growth promoters in agriculture. EU Health Ministers and EU Agricultural Ministers will both discuss AMR at their respective Council meetings in June. At UN level, the WHO’s Global Action Plan on AMR will be reviewed in September in New York.

By Eamonn Farrell

Agri-Food Policy Executive