To: Seafood HACCP Discussion Listserv
The "Report of a Joint FAO/OIE/WHO Expert Consultation on Antimicrobial Use in Aquaculture and Antimicrobial Resistance, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 13-16 June 2006" is posted on the World Health Organization web site:
http://www.who.int/topics/foodborne_diseases/aquaculture_rep_13_16june2006%20.pdf
The report's executive summary states that previous consultations did not thoroughly address the use of antimicrobials in aquacultre and the public health impact of such use. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) , OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) and WHO (World Health Organization) organized the consultation this year in Korea to evaluate the useage patterns and public health impact of this use, and to develop strategies to minimize the risk. The summary concludes by noting that "the future Codex Ad-Hoc Intergovernmental Task force on Antimicorbial Resistance regarding food safety should work in close collaboration with OIE to develop risk analysis principles and risk assessment guidelines. Within this process a full risk assessment should be developed in priority areas." This 107-page report provides discussion on:
- Assessing the risk on public health of the use of antimicrobials in aquaculture (including haard identification and characterization; antimicrobial resistance and residues; exposure assessment; risk characterization; data gaps and future research needs; capacity building and recommendations)
- Strategies and recommendations to reduce the risk of antimicrobail testing resistance arising from the use of antimicrobials in aquaculture (including risk management - options, implementation, capacity building; and identified gaps)
- The appendices include many helpful resources including:
o Guidelines for the responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine
o Codex code of practice to minimize and contain antimicrobial resistance
o Codex code of practice for fish and fishery products
o Docmuments and links related to antimicrobial resistance and/or aquaculture from FAO, OIE, WHO and Codex.
Pamela Tom, Seafood Extension Program Manager
University of California
Sea Grant Extension Program
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