The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Anti...

The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Antimicrobial Resistance are:

  • The dissemination of the information, training for best practices and upgrading national systems in relation to the surveillance and monitoring on antimicrobial resistance.
  • The training also aims to provide training on the methods of prevention and control of AMR in the veterinary and public health sectors with a holistic approach to prevent the infections and reduce the bacterial resistance.

The purpose of the training will be to spread the knowledge between the participants of the implementation of the “One Health” approach on the use of and resistance to antimicrobials, providing the best practices on the design, implementation and management of National Action Plans against antimicrobial resistance. The Plans will have to be implemented under the responsibility of the competent authority of the Member States. Each Member State therefore has an important role to play in ensuring that these objectives are achieved. A key element of the training will be to not only make participants aware of best practices in the veterinary/food and human sectors, but to emphasize how vital is that a common approach is adopted throughout the Union.

With this purpose on mind, the training will aim at achieving the following objectives:

  • Spread the knowledge of the implementation of the “one health” approach on the use and resistance of the antimicrobials.
  • Provide the best practices regarding the design, implementation and management of National Action Plans against antimicrobial resistance.
  • Promote the use of common indicators, monitoring and surveillance systems of antimicrobials and AMR in both human and veterinary sectors.
  • Ensure that the trainees have a solid understanding of ways to collaborate and coordinate among the different national authorities as well as EU agencies involved in the monitoring and surveillance of the use of antimicrobials and their resistance.

The training program is mainly addressed to:

  • Officials from National Competent Authorities involved, preferably at central level, in the monitoring, surveillance, reporting and control activities for the correct use of antimicrobials and the resistance to them in public health and veterinary/ food sectors.
  • Senior officers from Public Health competent authorities.
  • Senior officers from Primary production of animals intended to be food competent authorities.
  • Senior officers from Food safety competent authorities.
  • Senior officers from any of the previous competent authorities involved dealing with environmental AMR related issues.

They need to:

  • Be able to communicate in the English language.
  • Agree to actively disseminate the contents of the training course.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to assure a multidisciplinary approach in the training, NCPs will be required to send 2 participants per session invited, 1 from the public health sector, and 1 from veterinary / food sector. In all cases, they will be involved in the control and surveillance of the use of antimicrobials or their resistance.

Session Start Date End Date City Country
1 25/11/2019 28/11/2019 Malaga Spain
2 13/01/2020 16/01/2020 Athens Greece
3 03/02/2020 06/02/2020 Zagreb Croatia
4 24/05/2021 28/05/2021 N/A N/A
5 14/06/2021 18/06/2021 N/A N/A
6 05/07/2021 09/07/2021 N/A N/A
7 13/09/2021 17/09/2021 N/A N/A
8 04/10/2021 08/10/2021 N/A N/A
9 25/10/2021 29/10/2021 N/A N/A
10 29/11/2021 03/12/2021 N/A N/A
11 17/01/2022 21/01/2022 VC VC
12 07/02/2022 11/02/2022 VC VC
13 21/03/2022 25/03/2022 VC VC
14 25/04/2022 29/04/2022 VC VC
15 23/05/2022 26/05/2022 Madrid Spain
16 20/06/2022 23/06/2022 Madrid Spain
17 17/10/2022 20/10/2022 Alicante (TBC) Spain
18 14/11/2022 17/11/2022 Budapest (TBC) Hungary
The main objectives of this training programme on Antimicrobi...

The main objectives of this training programme on Antimicrobial resistance for non-EU countries are:

  • To work towards reinforcing engagement and collaboration with international organisations, and intensifying cooperation with countries outside of the European Union on antimicrobial resistance.
  • To provide support on strategies and actions at promoting and strenghtening the prudent use of antimicrobials and monitoring resistance, in veterinary, food safety, public health, and environmental health sectors.
  • To spread the knowledge among the participants of how the EU implements the 'One Health' approach when promoting a prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials and fighting against AMR.
  • To share best practices on the design, implementation and management of National Action Plans against AMR, as well as exchanging with, and learning from, the participants attending the training.

Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of microorganisms to neutralize the effect of drugs produced to defeat them. It is a natural biological phenomenon but lately a variety of factors have contributed to accelerate these defences mechanisms, such as: inappropriate or abuse of therapeutic antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine; poor hygiene and infection prevention measures in healthcare settings and at farm level; or lack of new effective antimicrobial alternatives.

The ineffectiveness of drugs is causing direct severe effects such as longer illness, increased mortality, prolonged stays in hospitals, and lack of drug protection in operations and medical procedures, and increased costs. Combating antimicrobial resistance has become a global public health challenge.

The essence of the One Health approach to tackling AMR is in the understanding that in order to combat AMR appropriately and effectively, concerted collaborative efforts are necessary across the human health, veterinary medicine and environment sectors. It must involve partnerships between those working at the interface of multiple related disciplines, putting together action from veterinarians, physicians, epidemiologists, researchers in public health and ecology, in which reaching a consensus depends on political commitment.

The development of enhanced surveillance systems and prudent use of antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine are two of the key areas for action of the EU policy against AMR.

At international level, the Union particularly wants to focus on implementation of commitments made on AMR in international fora, including the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR as well as in the WOAH and FAO resolutions. Sustaining political momentum, focusing on next steps and increasing international awareness and cooperation are important components to follow-up.

As one of the largest markets for agricultural products, the EU can play a major role by promoting its standards and measures for addressing AMR with its trade partners. The proposed training will therefore aim at strengthening the EU as 'stronger global actor', and at building on existing relationships and facilitating policy dialogue with the involved countries.

The course addresses the following topics:

  • Occurrence factors of AMR in zoonotic and other bacteria with public health importance and general concepts related to AMR. The One Health approach, and impacts of AMR in the world.
  • European Commission Action Plan against the rising threats from AMR with focus on its “One Health” approach.
  • Overview of the EU legal framework applicable to AMR and the use of antimicrobials.
  • Relevant international initiatives and standards in the field of AMR.
  • Practical application of EU provisions on monitoring of AMR in zoonotic and other bacterial with public health importance. Discussion of AMR surveillance in the region.
  • Commission guidance documents on prudent use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine and in human health.
  • Examples of good practices for strategies and actions aimed at promoting and strengthening the prudent use of antimicrobials, including examples of successful private standards or AMR-related policies.
  • Discussion of issues related to the emergence, drivers, and perpetuation of AMR in the environment, providing regulatory insight from the EU. The source, pathway, and receptor risk assessment methodology will be discussed regarding AMR in the environment.

The training course is mainly addressed to:

  • Decision and policy makers, senior officers from the public health competent authorities.
  • Decision and policy makers, senior officers working on veterinary medicinal products at the competent authority.
  • Decision and policy makers, senior officers from the primary production of animals intended to be food competent authorities.
  • Decision and policy makers, senior officers from the food safety competent authorities.
  • Decision and policy makers, senior officers in the area of environmental health and environmental risk assessment.
  • Senior officers working in national and/or regional networks related to antimicrobial resistance.
  • In the absence of the above, participants could be accepted if they work at public associations or foundations working in the field of combating antimicrobial resistance.
Session Start Date End Date City Country
10 28/03/2022 01/04/2022 VC (Senegal) VC (Senegal)
11 09/05/2022 13/05/2022
VC (Brazil) VC (Brazil)
12 13/06/2022 17/06/2022
VC (China) VC (China)
13 04/07/2022 08/07/2022
VC (Oceania) VC (Oceania)
S01 - Phase II 31/01/2023 03/02/2023 Cape Town South Africa
S02 - Phase II 14/03/2023 17/03/2023 San Jose Costa Rica
S03 - Phase II 09/05/2023 12/05/2023 Bangkok Thailand
S04 - Phase II 03/10/2023 06/10/2023 Belgrade Serbia
S05 - Phase II 27/11/2023
30/11/2023 Santiago Chile
POSTPONED 18/12/2023 21/12/2023 Amman Jordan
S06 - Phase II 06/02/2024
09/02/2024 New Delhi India
S07 - Phase II 19/03/2024
22/03/2024 Addis Ababa Ethiopia
POSTPONED 16/04/2024
19/04/2024 Dakar Senegal
S08 - Phase II 06/05/2024 09/05/2024 Beijing China
S09 - Phase II 13/05/2024 16/05/2024 Amman Jordan
S10 - Phase II 14/05/2024 17/05/2024 Dakar Senegal
S11 - Phase II 04/06/2024 07/06/2024 Istanbul Turkey