Pan-Canadian Framework to reduce AMR needs consistent messaging on its activities.   Ottawa—Once described as a leading threat to human health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is being brought under control through co-ordinated action by governments, livestock producers, veterinarians and many other agrifood organizations. The conclusion is contained in a highly-detailed 80 page progress report prepared by the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council (NFAHWC) on the Pan Canadian Framework for Action on AMR. It was launched by the federal government in 2017 after several years of sector-wide preparation. While there are still many steps that need to be completed, the livestock sector has worked to reduce its use of medically important antimicrobials “with a goal of retaining the effectiveness of antimicrobials for use in animals and humans,” it said. “The need for the use of antimicrobials can be reduced through various infection prevention and disease control strategies at the farm level.” In 2016, the NFAHWC issued 15 recommendations for government and agrifood action on AMR. Only ending Own Use Imports has been accomplished. However progress has been made on the others. “The information collected to inform this document clearly demonstrates the significant commitment of animal health stakeholders in Canada to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), while at the same time identifying the importance of ongoing engagement and collaboration in order to achieve the desired outcomes of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Antimicrobial Resistance, and the Pan-Canadian Action Plan.” AMS is an important part of the Framework because it “is an active, dynamic process of continuous improvement,” the Council said. “It involves coordinated interventions designed to promote, improve, monitor, and evaluate the judicious use of antimicrobials to preserve their future effectiveness and promote and protect human and animal health.” For those reasons, the NFAHWC has focused on four components of AMS -- infection prevention and control and stewardship, which have important roles in farm animal agriculture, and surveillance and research and innovation, which are essential to achieving effective stewardship over time. “By adding input from animal agriculture, human medicine and others, a pan-Canadian plan will be developed which will demonstrate how Canada will collectively act on the issue of AMR.” Nine commodity groups were among the agrifood organization supplying information to the NFAHWC for the progress report. Among the other eight contributing organizations were the Canadian Veterinary Medicine Association, the Deans Council, Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Medicine and the Canadian Animal Health Institute. Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.