MINSK, 27 October (BelTA) – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are involved in addressing the problem of antibiotic use in livestock, Vladimir Rakhmanin, FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, said at the Belarusian Meat Industry Forum, BelTA has learned.
“Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance was adopted in September. Three organizations are involved in addressing this problem, namely FAO, WHO and the World Organization for Animal Health,” Vladimir Rakhmanin said.
According to him, the problem is pressing since the use of antibiotics in livestock affects the health of people who consume meat products. Therefore, the international community rallied together to try to solve this problem. The European Union and Russia are actively working on this,” Vladimir Rakhmanin said. He added that Russia would like the CIS countries and the states on the post-Soviet space to pool efforts for joint action. “I think the level of awareness of antibiotic use in livestock is now very high,” Vladimir Rakhmanin noted.
The Belarusian Meat Industry Forum which is running in Minsk on 27-28 October has brought together experts to discuss topical issues of the industry and the ways to improve the quality of meat products and expand exports.
The forum, which is held on the initiative and under the patronage of the Agriculture and Food Ministry, has drawn more than 200 specialists from 10 countries. Among the participants are managers, marketing experts and export promotion specialists from practically all the meat packing plants and farms of Belarus, representatives of the government bodies, academic institutions, reputable foreign organizations and companies, diplomatic missions. The central items on the agenda of the forum are the export potential of Belarusian meat industry and the ways to improve its efficiency. The Meat Industry Forum will be co-located with the Fourth International Forum of Poultry Farmers of Belarus” under the auspices of the Belptitsesyouz Union of Poultry Breeders, in cooperation with the Eurasian Association of Poultry Farmers.
