The Food Industry Initiative on Antimicrobials (FIIA)

Commitments

Since its inception, FIIA has achieved the following

These have been translated into four commitments that aim to optimise responsible use of antibiotics while safeguarding animal health and welfare.

The Four Commitments

The Food Industry Initiative on Antimicrobials (FIIA) - Achieving the commitments

Commitment 1

Restrict the use of highest priority critically important antibiotics.

These products, classified as Category B by the European Medicines Agency, will be voluntarily restricted and only used a) as a last resort treatment and b) when alternative treatments of equal efficacy do not exist.

Delivery of Commitment 1

The FIIA has developed a Policy on Responsible Use of Antibiotics for its members, supporting the stewardship of antibiotic use and reductions – where appropriate – without compromising standards of animal health and welfare. FIIA members commit to observing the FIIA responsible use policy, which reflects key best practice principles from RUMA’s policy. The policy is aimed at product from the UK as a minimum, and while some members can already apply the policy on a wider basis, there is a longer-term ambition for the policy to eventually encompass foods from overseas that are sold in the UK.

Commitment 2

Stop routine preventative antibiotic use.

Preventative (or prophylactic) treatment must not be systematic, used to compensate for poor hygiene, or used in place of improvements in husbandry which could reduce the need for treatment. Preventative use is only acceptable in isolated situations where animals are diagnosed at high risk of bacterial disease, based on epidemiological and clinical knowledge, and prescribed by vets who have direct responsibility for the care of those animals.

Delivery of Commitment 2

The FIIA has developed a Policy on Responsible Use of Antibiotics for its members, supporting the stewardship of antibiotic use and reductions – where appropriate – without compromising standards of animal health and welfare. FIIA members commit to observing the FIIA responsible use policy, which reflects key best practice principles from RUMA’s policy. The policy is aimed at product from the UK as a minimum, and while some members can already apply the policy on a wider basis, there is a longer-term ambition for the policy to eventually encompass foods from overseas that are sold in the UK.

Commitment 3

Measure antibiotic use.

Total and highest priority antibiotic use or prescriptions will be measured in each sector according to agreed standardised metrics. Individual farm-level data or collated pre-existing datasets will be submitted to a single centralised system within each sector. This data will be shared in accordance with the Code of Conduct as laid out by FIIA.

Delivery of Commitment 3

Improving measurement and supporting farmers to use antibiotics responsibly are inter-linked and mutually reinforcing. FIIA has developed a Policy on Measurement of Antibiotic Use for its members. In this policy, the relationship between data capture, collation, interpretation and support are highlighted to illustrate this point. Appendix 3 contains the FIIA Code of Conduct on Access to and Use of Industry Antibiotic Data.

Commitment 4

Support our farming supply base.

We will ensure the farming supply base is more supported and engaged, understands what responsible antibiotic use is within their sector, and accepts what needs to be documented at farm level to assure responsible use.

Delivery of Commitment 4

Improving measurement and supporting farmers to use antibiotics responsibly are inter-linked and mutually reinforcing. FIIA has developed a Policy on Measurement of Antibiotic Use for its members. In this policy, the relationship between data capture, collation, interpretation and support are highlighted to illustrate this point. Appendix 3 contains the FIIA Code of Conduct on Access to and Use of Industry Antibiotic Data.