MEPs call for investment in antibiotic development and restrictions on veterinary use

To fight growing antimicrobial resistance, the use of existing antimicrobial drugs should be restricted, and there should be incentives for new ones should be developed
In a vote on draft plans to update EU law on veterinary medicines, MEPs have backed a ban on collective and preventive antibiotic treatment of animals and called for measures to stimulate research into new medicines.
Veterinary medicines must not under any circumstances be used to improve performance or compensate for poor animal husbandry, say MEPs. Using antibiotics as a preventive measure, in the absence of clinical signs of infection should be limited to single animals and only when fully justified by a veterinarian.
To help tackle antimicrobial resistance, the revised law would empower the European Commission to designate certain antimicrobials for human use only.
To encourage research into new antimicrobials, MEPs want to see incentives, including longer periods of market exclusivity.