Antimicrobial guidelines, other recommendations approved

The Executive Board approved guidelines developed by the American Association of Avian Pathologists and the AABP for the judicious use of antimicrobials in poultry and cattle, respectively.

Both recommendations were forwarded by the Steering Committee on Judicious Therapeutic Antimicrobial Use, which has a charge that includes development of judicious-use guidelines. The first step was development of the general judicious-use principles, which were approved by the Executive Board in 1998. The next step was developing detailed guidelines for each animal species group, including companion animals.

The AAAP developed and approved a set of guidelines to provide information to field veterinarians regarding intervention strategies for common bacterial diseases affecting chicken and turkeys. The Executive Committee of the AABP approved its guidelines for use by veterinarians treating cattle and advising cattle producers.

Also approved were recommendations continuing the steering committee for another three years, changing its name, and modifying its charge. The committee is now the Steering Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance. The Long-Range Planning Committee will review the committee annually. A representative from the American Association of Extension Veterinarians will be added to the committee.