This national action plan, issued by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA), sets out Denmark’s third sectoral plan to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals and along the food chain from farm to fork. It is framed within a One Health perspective, linking animal, human and environmental health, and continues and consolidates measures initiated under previous national action plans and political food and veterinary agreements. The plan aligns with international and EU frameworks, including the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR, the World Organization for Animal Health strategy, and the EU One Health Action Plan against AMR, and is intended to operationalise Denmark’s national One Health Strategy Against Antibiotic Resistance in the veterinary and food sectors. The plan is structured around four focus areas: strengthened surveillance with a One Health perspective; healthy livestock with a prudent and low use of antibiotics; targeted communication to support informed choices; and national and international cooperation. Under surveillance, the DVFA aims to maintain and refine comprehensive monitoring of AMR in livestock and food, increase use of whole genome sequencing, optimise surveillance of antibiotic use (including species‑ and age‑specific data and dose‑based indicators), and continue reporting to DANMAP and EU systems. It also provides for research‑based surveillance of livestock‑associated MRSA and livestock pathogens, development of risk assessment tools for critical resistance in food, and exploration of pen‑side diagnostics. Under the healthy livestock focus, the plan foresees enhanced supervision of veterinarians using VetStat data, review of biosecurity legislation and guidance, evaluation of veterinary advisory service contract rules, examination of differentiated taxation of antibiotics, targeted medicine controls in herds with high use, continued work with the Danish Advisory Committee on Veterinary Medicine (including possible adjustments to the Yellow Card scheme), strengthened dialogue with industry on management practices, and specific efforts to further reduce antibiotic use, particularly in piglets. On communication, the DVFA will update evidence‑based guidelines for antibiotic use in pigs and cattle, revise and expand public information on AMR on its website, and continue both the livestock‑associated MRSA advisory service and hygiene courses for persons handling pigs. The DVFA will continue to supply VetStat data to EU and WOAH, contribute Danish experience to strategic sector cooperation projects and the Baltic One Health One Plan initiative, and maintain close collaboration with the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), particularly in relation to support for low‑ and middle‑income countries. Implementation will be monitored continuously by the DVFA over the 2024–2027 period.
Danemark · 2024-01-01