The responsible use of veterinary medicines – UK and international perspectives

Abstract

The Responsible use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) hosted its fourth biennial conference, ‘The responsible use of veterinary medicines – UK and International perspectives’, online on Thursday 18th November 2021. A key event highlight was the incredible voluntary industry achievements to date which have helped to halve sales of antibiotics to treat UK farm animals and has seen the use of highest priority critically important antibiotics in animals reduce by 79% since 2014. The event covered the positive story of responsible use of medicines in UK farming; an introduction to the new RUMA organisation for companion animals and equine and its objectives; a look ahead to the UK animal medicines legislation; the international context for the responsible use of medicines; the story of the UK's high health and welfare standards in international trade discussions; a look ahead to the next challenges for responsible use of animal medicines.