The AMR Codex Texts (ACT) project “Implementation of Codex standards to support containment and reduction of foodborne antimicrobial resistance” was recently presented in two regional meetings of the Mongolian Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) on August 2-3 and August 6-7, 2022.  These two conferences were organized by the MVMA branch councils of the Bayankhongor and Zavkhan provinces in cooperation with the Department of Veterinary Services and the FAO office in Mongolia. 

“Veterinarians were introduced to the goals and activities of the project, and how we will collaborate. We are working on providing information on antimicrobial resistance, its risks and hazards, and ways to prevent it. Also, the ACT project is translating Codex standards into the Mongolian language. These standards will be used in the food and agriculture sectors,” said Dr. Enkhtur Byakharjav, the ACT Project Coordinator in Mongolia, during the TV interview.

Over 300 public and private veterinarians discussed the issues surrounding the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) following uncontrolled antimicrobial use (AMU).  During the meetings, Dr. Enkhtur presented the results of a survey that mapped the AMR and AMU situation in Mongolia in 2021.  The survey identified potential areas for concern, including the importation of meat products from neighboring countries.  He also shared the goals of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) 2022-2025, emphasizing the critical role of veterinarians in containing AMR.

This support is very important for Mongolian veterinarians and veterinary non-governmental organizations.

“Specialists were provided with lots of useful and new information. This support is very important for Mongolian veterinarians and veterinary non-governmental organizations,” noted Batsukh Basan, the President of MVMA.

Raising veterinary awareness about the growing threat of AMR is one of the guiding principles of the ACT project, which is supported by the Republic of Korea. The NAP-AMR will be an important reference document for the project activities, especially the implementation of the Codex Standards aimed at the containment and reduction of foodborne AMR.

Interest in local media invaluable for raising awareness

“Given the importance of reaching veterinarians who bridge the gap between herders and government policies, we plan to participate in similar gatherings in the near future, including the regional MVMA conference in Bulgan province in October.  In addition, the interest that these meetings generated in the local media will be invaluable for raising awareness of AMR among herders and the general public,“ said Peter Flanagan, the Regional ACT Project Coordinator for Asia.

The regional conferences in Mongolia provided a forum for veterinarians to share their experiences in the field.  They expressed their concern about how herders are administering antimicrobials without veterinary oversight.  The widespread, unregulated use of antimicrobials has the negative effects of increasing antimicrobial resistance, reducing the availability of certain antimicrobials, and increasing the prices of the antimicrobials that are available.  The participants recommended the development of a training program on the prudent use of antimicrobials to mitigate the risks of AMR in humans and animals.  The attendees suggested that the training should be available for private and public veterinarians, veterinary pharmacists, herders, dairy farmers, and civil servants.

Learn more 

Read more about the ACT project here: Implementation of Codex standards to support containment and reduction of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) (GCP/GLO/505/ROK) | Antimicrobial Resistance | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (fao.org)

Relevant news here: New Codex project covered on Mongolian TV news

FAO mission assesses ability of labs to detect AMR in food and agriculture in Mongolia | CODEXALIMENTARIUS