[STORY 1] Animal-based food safe despite rising AMR in livestock, says DVS

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI

PETALING JAYA: The Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (DVS) has assured the public that animal-based food products are safe to consume despite the an upward trend in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) detected in livestock.

This follow the surveillance data by the department showing that bacteria in local livestock are becoming resistant to several antibiotics, including ones critical to human health. (see related story)

The department said all animal-based food products, including meat, eggs, dairy products, and pork, that reach consumers undergo strict veterinary inspections.

“Only healthy animals are allowed to be slaughtered, and the entire process is monitored to ensure compliance with established standards

“Veterinary drug residues are monitored annually through the National Food Safety Monitoring Programme for Animal-Based Products,” it said.

The department also monitors animal welfare, farm biosecurity measures and disease control to reduce the need for antibiotics in livestock. 

In addition, DVS emphasised that food safety oversight does not fall on veterinary authorities alone.

Health Ministry enforces additional regulations under the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985, covering the hygiene and safety of animal-based products.

According to DVS, consumers should not be alarmed by the rising AMR trend, as the government continues to coordinate nationwide mitigation efforts through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee (NARC), involving agencies spanning human health, animal health, food safety and environmental sectors. 

Stakeholders including industry players, private organisations and NGOs, are also involved in tackling the issue.

“Consumers can be confident that chicken, eggs and pork available in the market are safe for consumption,” it said.

To prevent the transfer of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria from animals to humans, DVS stressed that measures must be taken across the entire food chain, from farm to table, in line with the ‘One Health’ approach.

At the farm level, antibiotics should only be used responsibly and not for growth promotion or preventive purposes.

“Farmers are required to observe withdrawal periods after treatment before animals are slaughtered.

“Maintain farm hygiene, implement biosecurity measures, vaccinate livestock and ensure high-quality feed,” DVS said.

To reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics in animals, DVS has rolled out a series of policies and bans over the past decade.

Among them are the Feed Act 2009, which regulates the import, sale and use of animal feed containing antimicrobials, and the ban on the use of WHO-designated critically important antimicrobials (CIA) as growth promoters or for preventive use, which started in year 2012.

The department also promotes good farm management practices through the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices (MyGAP) and the Veterinary Health Mark (VHM) certification schemes for livestock farms, which emphasise hygiene, biosecurity, and disease prevention instead of antibiotic dependence.

“We encourage farmers to adopt vaccination, regular disease monitoring and strong biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance at the farm level,” DVS said.

It added that slaughterhouses must adhere to strict hygiene standards to prevent cross-contamination during processing to further reduce potential risk.