ICAR-DPR, Hyderabad conducts Seminar on “Antimicrobial resistance”
A Seminar on “Antimicrobial resistance and its implications in poultry” was conducted on 31.7.2019 by ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad in collaboration with AP (Hyderabad) Chapter of Indian Poultry Science Association. Dr. K.M.L. Pathak, Former DDG (AS), ICAR has graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Dr. R.N. Chatterjee, Director, ICAR-DPR welcomed the participants and introduced the theme of the Seminar. He narrated the contribution of antibiotics over the decades in disease control in poultry and emphasised the importance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its implications.
Dr. K.M.L. Pathak, in his Chief Guest address, said that though the contribution of poultry to AMR is minimal, the sector is being unnecessarily blamed for the issue and stressed upon the need for taking up comprehensive study involving the private industry and also other livestock species for identifying the role of the respective sectors in the development of AMR. He suggested taking up awareness campaign on the issue for the general public and also the poultry farmers so that the precious antibiotic molecules are properly used for avoiding the development of resistance among the pathogenic bacteria.
Two invited lectures were delivered by Dr. K.S. Prajapati, Prof. & Head (retd.), AAU, Anand and Dr. M.R. Reddy, Prl. Scientist, IVRI, Izatnagar. Dr. Reddy gave a talk on “Antibiotics in poultry production – the codex regulations, MRLs and their implications in development of antimicrobial resistance”. Dr. Reddy gave a detailed picture of antibiotic use in poultry production, the codex regulations, maximum residue levels in meat and eggs across globe and India and the associated areas of the topic.
This was followed by the talk on ““Antibiotic usage in poultry production and the possibilities for their reduction in view of antimicrobial resistance” by Dr. Prajapati. He informed that the last antibiotic molecule was discovered in 1987 and therefore the available molecules need to be judiciously used for preserving their efficacy. He gave an account of various antibiotic growth promoters, the development of cross resistance among various antibiotics and the mode of resistance development etc. He also spoke about the potential alternatives available, which need to be used in combination for ensuring satisfactory efficacy.
At the end, Dr. V.R. Reddy, Prof. & Head (retd.), ANGRAU, Hyderabad, the Guest of Honor for the Seminar, concluded the proceedings and gave the take home message on antibiotic use in conjunction with optimum management and nutrition.
A total of 98 participants attended the event, which included the Scientific and technical staff from DPR; faculty and PG/PhD students from PVNR Telangana Veterinary University, scientists from NRC on Meat, senior poultry professionals, representatives and field veterinarians from the poultry industry.
