The Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Sally Davies, has said that a global solution is needed to combat the increasing number of bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics. A significant threat to animals is posed by the problem and the issue was the subject of a Commons inquiry in February this year. Dr Davies was also critical of the medical industry for not introducing new antibiotics to the market.
The issue is not without controversy, however, as some groups blame the farming sector for being responsible for the rise in antibiotic resistant bacteria. RUMA, a coalition of farming and other related organisations, has been keen to stress the importance of responsible antibiotic use and fully supports the government’s five year antimicrobial resistance strategy.