Table II.
Recommendations by organizations to address the use of antibiotics and antibiotics resistance in livestock, poultry and fisheries sector
| Year | Organizations | Recommendations/proposals |
|---|---|---|
| Poultry/livestock | ||
| 2007 | BIS-Poultry feed recommendation51 | Stop use of antibiotic growth promoters with systemic action in poultry feed such as chloramphenicol, doxycycline, tetracycline, nitrofurazone and furazolidone. Stop usage of gut acting antibiotics in five years. |
| 2011 | National Policy on containment of AMR52 | Action plan includes enforcement and enhancement of regulatory provision on antimicrobials usage in poultry sector, along with necessary labelling in food. Promote rational use of drugs via education and managerial and regulatory strategy. Advocate the strengthening of diagnostics for AMR monitoring. |
| 2012-2017 | National Programme on Containment of AMR (http://dghs.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/file/National_Programme_on_Containment_of_Anti_Microbial_Resistance.pdf) | Aimed at laboratory-based AMR surveillance system. Strengthen infection control guidelines. Generate awareness among healthcare providers. |
| 2013 | Drug Controller General of India: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 19405 https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/system/modules/CDSCO.WEB/elements/download_file_division.jsp?num_id=Mjcx | Directed the drug manufacturers about administration of antibiotics and their withdrawal period for food-producing animals. Compulsory labelling of withdrawal periods on antibiotics intended for animal use; If this period is not validated, then use following period ‘egg or milk (seven days), poultry meat (28 days), fish meat (500 days)’. |
| 2013 | The National Livestock Policy (http://dahd.nic.in/sites/default/filess/NLP%202013%20Final11.pdf) | Encouraged States to promote judicious use of antibiotics; however, barely touched antibiotic resistance issue. |
| 2014 | Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Circular to States (http://www.farmer.gov.in/dadf/Advisories/Advisory_on_use_of_antibiotics_in_food_producing_animals.pdf) | Requested States to advise veterinarians and feed manufacturers about judicious antibiotics use for treatment of ailing food-producing animals, and to stop antibiotics use in feed. |
| 2015 | FSSAI (http://old.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/Draft_Meat_Poultry_Comments.pdf) | Suggested veterinary supervision during antibiotics use on animals. Feed for meat producing animals or birds should not include meat, blood meal, bone tissues except milk and milk products. Suggested different slaughterhouse for poultry and livestock animals.Strictly ban AGPs in poultry and meat. Supply licensed antibiotics for tracking antibiotic use. |
| 2017-2022 | National Policy on Containment of AMR (http://www.searo.who.int/india/topics/antimicrobial_resistance/nap_amr.pdf) | To provide better awareness and AMR understanding by various trainings, learning and communication. Effective surveillance. Emphasis on infection prevention and control. Primarily focuses on resistance in bacteria. |
| Aquaculture | ||
| 2011 | FSSAI (http://fsdaup.gov.in/writereaddata/images/pdf/act-and-rules/fss-regulation/Food-safety-and-standards-contaminats-toxins-and-residues-regulation-2011.pdf) | Tolerance limit for four antibiotics (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, trimethoprim and oxolinic acid) was set for seafoods (shrimps, prawns) and a variety of fish and related products. Ban of several antibiotics as well as other pharmacologically active substances. |
BIS, Bureau of Indian Standards; AMR, Antimicrobial Resistance; FSSAI, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India; AGPs, Antibiotic growth promoters