Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
In the last five years, considerable progress has been made towards tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals in Wales.
The Animal and Environment AMR Delivery Group was established and subsequently recommended the publication of an AMR in Animals and the Environment Implementation Plan, both of which, were a first for Wales (2019-2024).
The Delivery Group and the Implementation Plan helped shaped our approach, with achievements shared in several annual reviews. I have now published the latest review on the Welsh Government website, which concludes our first five-year term in addressing AMR.
We have achieved a great deal, but the work does not stop there. The effects of AMR continue to be disruptive and costly, not just to animal keepers and veterinarians, but also for the wider community.
To build on the progress made in Wales I have established a new Wales AMR Animal Health Group. The group will provide advice and guidance to support our approach, and they have recommended a new Animal AMR Control Plan for Wales (2025 – 2029), which is aligned with the UK National Action Plan (2024-2029).
Within the Welsh Government, efforts to address AMR will continue to apply the One Health approach, bringing together public health, animal health and the environment. Resistant organisms pose direct risks to both people and animals, and they can spread through the environment, applying the One Health approach is a crucial element in addressing AMR.
However, AMR controls cannot solely be delivered by Government. We need animal keepers and veterinarians to work together and to work with us in achieving for Wales.
To support our plans, I have awarded £2 million of funding to the Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthfaicrobaidd Cyfrifol) consortium. Arwain have a proven record in delivering AMR controls and this new phase of the project will allow us to continue positioning Wales as a world leader in efforts aimed at addressing AMR.
Phase three of the Arwain programme will continue to deliver the successful Veterinary Prescribing Champions Network, representing 44 veterinary practices across Wales. The project will continue with the collection of antimicrobial usage (AMU) data from at least 4,500 Welsh farms. Monitoring AMR in cattle and sheep by on-farm sampling will enable us to better understand the development and spread of AMR in Welsh farming systems. There are several other strands to the programme as well as some exciting new workstreams, such as an AMR academy, which will provide targeted training and experiences around AMR to vets, farmers and our future farmers.
Our goals and the Arwain programme involve all animal keepers and their vets keeping our animals healthy and - when it is necessary - to use antibiotics responsibly. We will achieve this by working hand-in-hand with our partners. We will also be supported by an extensive and varied stakeholder engagement plan to share our approach and allow others to learn from our experience. Further information will be available on the Arwain website in due course and I’d urge anyone with an interest to take a look.
I look forward to seeing continued success in our collective efforts to address AMR as we all work together to ensure antibiotics remain effective for future generations.