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The Transition Issue: What Do We Change (or Not) When We Change Antimicrobial Use?

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  • Nicolas Fortané
  • Marie‐Hélène Pinard‐van der Laan
  • Christian Ducrot

Abstract

The various policies and initiatives to reduce antimicrobial use in livestock production in Europe over the last ten years have been successful. In many countries, reduction targets have been met (a reduction in antimicrobial sales of between 30–50 per cent). But when it comes to larger‐scale or longer‐term objectives, namely those of shifting to more sustainable or resilient agriculture, the picture is far less clear. The success of the fight against antimicrobial resistance must not mask the fact that to date, little progress has been made on transition issues. Intensive and industrial forms of livestock production are maintained and sometimes strengthened by the strategies developed to reduce antimicrobial use. Reducing and replacing antimicrobials has been an important step but the reflection has not been connected to the issue of rethinking the production system, as European policies suggested in the first place. It is now essential to link the current efforts in the fight against antimicrobial resistance to far‐reaching changes and breakthrough innovations. AMR is one problem among many others. They must be tackled globally thanks to transitions towards forms of agriculture that are less intensive, less industrial, and more mindful of their impact on health, the environment and society. Les diverses politiques et initiatives visant à réduire l'utilisation des antimicrobiens dans la production animale en Europe au cours des dix dernières années ont été couronnées de succès. Dans de nombreux pays, les objectifs de réduction ont été atteints (une réduction des ventes d'antimicrobiens comprise entre 30 et 50 %). Mais lorsqu'il s'agit d'objectifs à plus grande échelle ou à plus long terme, notamment ceux visant à passer à une agriculture plus durable ou plus résiliente, le tableau est beaucoup moins clair. Le succès de la lutte contre la résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM) ne doit pas masquer le fait qu’à ce jour, peu de progrès ont été réalisés sur les questions de transition. Les formes intensives et industrielles de production animale sont maintenues et parfois renforcées par les stratégies développées pour réduire l'utilisation des antimicrobiens. La réduction et le remplacement des antimicrobiens ont constitué une étape importante, mais la réflexion n'a pas été liée à la remise en cause du système de production, comme le suggéraient en premier lieu les politiques européennes. Il est désormais essentiel de lier les efforts actuels à des changements de grande envergure et à des innovations de rupture. La RAM est un problème parmi tant d'autres. Tous doivent être abordés globalement grâce à une transition vers des formes d'agriculture moins intensives, moins industrielles et plus soucieuses de leur impact sur la santé, l'environnement et la société. Die verschiedenen politischen Maßnahmen und Initiativen der letzten zehn Jahre zur Verringerung des Einsatzes antimikrobieller Mittel in der europäischen Tierhaltung waren erfolgreich. In vielen Ländern wurden die Reduktionsziele erreicht (Rückgang der Verkäufe antimikrobieller Mittel um 30‐50 %). Geht es jedoch um größere oder längerfristige Ziele, nämlich die Umstellung auf eine nachhaltigere oder widerstandsfähigere Landwirtschaft, ist die Situation weit weniger eindeutig. Der Erfolg im Kampf gegen antimikrobielle Resistenzen (AMR) darf nicht darüber hinwegtäuschen, dass bei der Umstellungsthematik bisher kaum Fortschritte erzielt wurden. Intensive und industrielle Formen der Tierhaltung werden durch die Strategien, die zur Verringerung des Einsatzes antimikrobieller Mittel entwickelt wurden, aufrechterhalten und manchmal sogar verstärkt. Die Reduzierung und Substitution antimikrobieller Mittel waren ein wichtiger Schritt, aber diese Überlegungen wurden nicht mit dem Überdenken des Produktionssystems verknüpft, wie es die europäische Politik ursprünglich vorgeschlagen hatte. Es ist jetzt entscheidend, die derzeitigen Bestrebungen mit weitreichenden Veränderungen und bahnbrechenden Innovationen zu verbinden. AMR ist ein Problem von vielen anderen. Sie müssen weltweit angegangen werden, und zwar durch die Umstellung zu einer weniger intensiven, weniger industriellen und stärker auf ihre Auswirkungen auf Gesundheit, Umwelt und Gesellschaft bedachten Landwirtschaft.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolas Fortané & Marie‐Hélène Pinard‐van der Laan & Christian Ducrot, 2024. "The Transition Issue: What Do We Change (or Not) When We Change Antimicrobial Use?," EuroChoices, The Agricultural Economics Society, vol. 23(2), pages 67-71, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:eurcho:v:23:y:2024:i:2:p:67-71
    DOI: 10.1111/1746-692X.12442
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Geels, Frank W., 2002. "Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: a multi-level perspective and a case-study," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(8-9), pages 1257-1274, December.
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