Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Accepted
Past animal health AMR targets were unchallenging; new plan lacks targets amid rising usage
Recommendation
We asked VMD whether the targets set for animal health in the 2019–24 NAP were challenging enough given that they were successfully achieved. VMD acknowledged that while reaching the targets was a big success, it also considered that this was a result of some “quick wins”.38 The 2024–29 NAP does not include any targets relating to animal health. VMD told us that ambitious and realistic targets for the usage of antimicrobials will be set by the end of the year and will be specific to each species sector.39 Recently, VMD has seen that reductions in usage have plateaued and usage is actually now increasing for some species.40 Transparency and accountability
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, outlining processes for monitoring and reviewing human health targets by Winter 2025, and stating that VMD will incorporate new, ambitious sector-specific targets for animal health by late 2025 if sufficiently challenging.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Winter 2025 2.2 Progress against NAP human health targets is closely monitored, using data to assess effectiveness, guide future action, and ensure alignment with broader public health objectives. The government conducts formal reporting on these targets biannually. Additionally, targets are subject to annual review over the summer, with the potential to revise, if deemed appropriate and agreed by the UK AMR Strategy Board. 2.3 Analysis of surveillance trends will inform recommendations on the range and ambition of targets. UKHSA will also model trends in specific drug-resistant infections, accounting for population changes, to project counterfactual trends. Expert advice on target revisions will be sought from the Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Prescribing, Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection. 2.4 The government supports achievable targets being set, to help secure support from the healthcare system and contribute to long-term change. UKHSA predicts the incidence of drug-resistant and gram-negative blood stream infections will continue to rise due to 20 increasing age, medical comorbidities, and population demographic changes. Therefore, preventing an increase in these infections from the 2019 baseline is currently ambitious. 2.5 The government has previously supported targets developed by the livestock sectors through the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) Targets Task Force on AMR, which have resulted in a 59% reduction in antibiotic use in livestock since 2014. The livestock sectors, coordinated by RUMA, are developing a new set of sector-specific targets, which are due to be published in late 2025. If sufficiently ambitious, the Vetinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) will incorporate them into the NAP delivery programme.