Antimicrobial Resistance and Use in Beef Cattle Q&A March 11th, 2015

Q: Does McDonald’s recent antimicrobial policy release change the use of antimicrobials in Canadian Beef Production? A: The McDonald’s policy, developed with input from internationally recognized experts in veterinary medicine and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), promotes the judicious use of antimicrobials. This approach is scientifically sound and consistent with industry principles and programs such as the Verified Beef ProductionTM program that promotes responsible antimicrobial use (AMU) by beef producers. Q: Is AMR addressed in the Global Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Beef? A: One of the core Principles of the GRSB is that Global sustainable beef producers and processors respect and manage animals to ensure their health and welfare. Criteria 3 underneath this core Animal Care Principle applies to Antimicrobial use, this criteria states; “All veterinary pharmaceuticals and vaccines are used responsibly and in accordance with labeling”. The GRSB is currently developing a guidance document that will better inform the regional roundtables how to use the GRSB Principles and Criteria. Q: Why are antimicrobials used in beef cattle? A: Antimicrobials are used in human and veterinary medicine for the same reasons. Using an antimicrobial to target specific microbial pathogens is an effective way to combat infectious disease, especially when effective vaccines are not available. Q: How are antimicrobials used in beef cattle? A: Antimicrobials from all four categories (Low, Medium, High or Very High importance) are registered for use in beef cattle in Canada. The majority of antimicrobials used are Category IV drugs (Low importance in human health), including ionophores, which are not used in human medicine. Ionophores are used in beef cattle to prevent diseases such as coccidiosis and to improve feed efficiency. Category II and III antimicrobials are used for prevention of bacterial infections in high risk groups of cattle. Category I antimicrobials (Very High importance) are seldom used in beef cattle production and treat severe bacterial infections in overtly sick animals. Producers work with their veterinarians to develop protocols on when it’s appropriate to use various antimicrobials, and adhere to withdrawal times to ensure treated animals do not enter the food system until it’s safe to do so. Q: How does antimicrobial resistance happen? A: AMR occurs naturally when the genetic make-up of microbes is altered in a manner that makes them no longer susceptible to antimicrobials designed to kill them or prevent their growth. Q: Does use of antimicrobials in cattle promote AMR? A: Not all antimicrobials are equally important in human health. The vast majority (likely over 90%) of the antibiotics used beef cattle production are never used in human medicine, while less than 1% of the antibiotics used in beef cattle production are of High or Very High importance in human medicine. Independent (Public Health Agency of Canada) surveillance indicates that microbes found in healthy cattle or beef have extremely low (1-2%) resistance to antimicrobials of Very High Importance. Research and surveillance evidence suggests that eliminating antimicrobial use in beef production will have clear negative health consequences for cattle with no obvious benefit for human health.

Q: What is judicious use of antimicrobials? A: Judicious use means that the antimicrobials are selected in consultation with a vet, used, stored and disposed of correctly and responsibly. Judicious use is critical to ensuring that these products remain effective for both human and animal medicine. Q: How does the Verified Beef ProductionTM program promote judicious use of antimicrobials? A: Producers who participate in Canada’s Verified Beef ProductionTM on-farm food safety program demonstrate with records that they follow industry-sanctioned practices which select, use, store and dispose of antimicrobials in a responsible manner. Q: What’s the difference between an Antibiotic and an Antimicrobial? A: In short all antibiotics are antimicrobials, but not all antimicrobials are antibiotics. The two terms are often used interchangeably. Antibiotic: an antimicrobial substance produced by a microorganism (or a synthetic version) that can kill or prevent the growth of another microorganism. In human and veterinary medicine, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Antimicrobial: a substance that can destroy or prevent the growth of microorganisms. There are many different types of antimicrobial substances, including antibiotics, anti-protozoals (e.g. ionophores for coccidiosis), alcohol, soap and bleach. Q: Where can I learn more about AMU/AMR in beef cattle? A: If you would like further information regarding AMU and AMR in relation to beef cattle production in cattle please reach out to the CRSB or review the following resources:

Beef Cattle Research Council Website: http://www.beefresearch.ca/research-topic.cfm/antimicrobial-resistance-11 Health Canada’s Veterinary Drugs Directorate Website: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/branch-dirgen/hpfb-dgpsa/vdd-dmv/index-eng.php Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS) Website: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cipars-picra/index-eng.php Canadian Veterinary Medicine Association Website: https://www.canadianveterinarians.net Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Antimicrobial Prudent Use Guidelines 2008: http://www.cahi-icsa.ca/uploads/UserFiles/files/CVMA%20Prudent%20Use%20Guidelines%20for%20Beef,%20Dairy,%20Poultry%20and%20Swine%202009.pdf The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is highly committed to a rigorous scientific approach. If you would like further information regarding AMR or AMU in this document please contact the CRSB or one of the organizations listed above.  CRSB Contact Information Staff Contact: Fawn Jackson E-mail: jacksonf@cattle.ca Phone: 403-275-8558