Background

The issue of antimicrobial resistance has received increasing attention recently from the scientific and political communities.  Resistance to antimicrobial products is known to occur in both human and veterinary medicines.  To address this the Government has established several working groups to look at different aspects of this issue.

The Defra Antimicrobial Resistance Coordination (DARC) Group was established in 1999 to take forward, within Defra, recommendations made by the House of Lords Select Committee on antimicrobial resistance.  The DARC Group works alongside other Government Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) related groups (see below).  Their remits are in some cases complementary, and in others have some overlap but close liaison avoids duplication of effort. 

• Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) Working Group,

• Interdepartmental Steering Group (IDSG) on Antimicrobial Resistance,

• Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Health Care Associated Infections (ARHAI)

• Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) Working-Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. 
   

DARC Group Terms of Reference and Remit  

‘To co-ordinate, advise and review Defra activities on antimicrobial usage in animals and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in micro-organisms from feedingstuffs, animals and food’.

The Group’s remit includes:

Reviewing the Defra action plan and strategy on surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in animals. 

This was carried out during 2007.  Subsequently the strategy will be updated periodically as the need arises.

Reviewing surveillance studies on antimicrobial usage and microbial resistance.

As of the Autumn 2006 meeting, this will be carried out annually.

Promoting prudent and optimal use of antimicrobials in animals by:

·               Supporting healthy food from healthy animals

·               Encouraging responsible and prudent use of minimum amounts of appropriate antimicrobials

·               Monitoring the development of AMR in animals

·               Providing information and advice to assist in the development of antimicrobial resistance policy in animals

·               Identifying the possible impact on human treatments as applications for new antimicrobial products for animal use are being assessed

·               Report the group’s activities to ARHAI.

Consider new approaches to alternatives to antimicrobials as they arise.

Public awareness will continue to be promoted on the Defra and VMD web pages.

Research and development.

The Group will advise Defra on research ideas as they arise. Government funded research into antimicrobial resistance will be reviewed annually at the Spring meeting.

Raising public awareness of the issue.

Information is published on the Defra and VMD websites.

For Further Information About the Group.

Dr Kay Goodyear on 01932 338409 or k.goodyear@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk


Last updated 30/04/08

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