Antimicrobial stewardship considerations in beef production

Abstract

Stewards oversee and protect something of value. On the subject of antimicrobial drugs, veterinarians must be stewards of antimicrobial effectiveness and availability. Lack of antimicrobial effectiveness or loss of the use of antimicrobial drugs would lead to increased animal illness and suffering. Lack of antimicrobial effectiveness as a result of transfer of resistance genes from animal-carried bacteria to human pathogens would lead to increased human illness, and potentially to loss of confidence in veterinary care. Therefore, veterinarians need to continue to be stewards of antimicrobial drugs for human and animal health. Our lead professional associations have committed to antimicrobial stewardship with the approval of stewardship guidance: American Veterinary Medical Association Core Principles and American Association of Bovine Practitioners Key Elements.