Action plan for reducing microbial antibiotic resistance in veterinary medicine for 2019-2023.

The "Action Plan for Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance of Microbes in the Field of Veterinary Medicine 2019-2023" is a sectoral policy document of Estonia. Its primary goal is to align with the global framework developed in collaboration with WHO, FAO, and OIE, the EU Commission’s five-year action plan to reduce AMR, and Estonia’s EU policies and legislation. The Plan focuses on ensuring the availability, proper supply, and marketing of high-quality, safe, and effective veterinary medicines and medicated feeds. It emphasizes the medically justified use of these products, based on diagnoses and specific animal species considerations. The Plan also outlines the establishment of information collection systems and training programs for veterinarians, animal keepers, and food business operators to promote responsible medicine use. Further objectives include consistent monitoring, research, and applied research related to AMR, ensuring these efforts support the overall aim of the Action Plan and national AMR policies. The implementation of the Plan will adhere to the framework of the “Action Plan for Reduction of Antimicrobial Resistance in the field of Veterinary Medicine 2017-2021”. The detailed five-year implementation plan, provided in Annex II, is divided into three key areas: responsible use of veterinary antibiotics, raising awareness and training, and AMR monitoring and research initiatives .