The College of Veterinarians of Ontario Growing Forward 2 (CVO) Project was developed
to explore the current practises, views and suggested actions of Ontario veterinarians
on the issue of antibiotic use in food-producing animals in Ontario. Through a process
spanning from April 2014 to September 2015, which involved a background review, a
survey, facilitated discussion sessions with veterinarians, and consultation with stakeholder
groups, the CVO Project has produced suggested actions regarding veterinary stewardship
of antibiotic use in Ontario.
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
The College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) protects and serves the public interest
through the regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine. Accordingly, veterinarians are
licensed, facilities are accredited, standards and policies are developed and maintained,
and an investigations and resolutions process is available. The CVO licenses approximately
4,500 veterinarians and accredits over 2,100 veterinary facilities in Ontario.
Growing Forward 2 (GF2) is a comprehensive federal/provincial/territorial agreement aimed
at encouraging innovation, competitiveness and market development in Canada’s AgriFood and Agri-Products sector. In Ontario, government is investing money over five years.
Funding assistance is provided for projects that align with one or more of six specified
focus areas, two of which are directly related to veterinary medicine – animal health and
assurance systems (food safety, traceability and animal welfare).
As part of its strategic plan for 2014-2017, the CVO Council saw an opportunity to
demonstrate leadership, in collaboration with the profession, in the area of One Health,
which is the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines, working locally, nationally and
globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. Given the
continuing interest in, and increasing discussion about, antibiotic use in food animals at
all levels and by multiple sectors, it was deemed consistent with the CVO public interest
mandate to facilitate dialogue with Ontario veterinarians on the topic of profession-based
stewardship in this area.
Veterinarians expressed a
willingness to utilize their
expertise and training to serve as
stewards of antibiotic use in foodproducing animals in Ontario.
While the College is the lead organization for this effort, the CVO Project has an Advisory
Group made up of representatives
from:
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Canadian Animal Health Institute
Canadian Veterinary Medical
Association
College of Veterinarians of
Ontario
Ontario Association of Bovine
Practitioners
Ontario Association of Poultry
Practitioners
Ontario Association of Swine Veterinarians
Ontario Livestock & Poultry Council
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Ontario Veterinary Medical Association
Public Health Agency of Canada
Small Ruminant Veterinarians of Ontario
This unique CVO Project provided a factual context on which to base discussion about the
use of antibiotics in food-producing animals, with veterinarians directly involved in practise
and the front line of antibiotic use.
Actions suggested by the veterinarians who participated in this CVO Project were far
reaching. These actions included legislation and regulation, research, education and
liaison, and quality assurance initiatives, but were not assessed for feasibility or potential
impact. Some veterinarians expressed a willingness to utilize their expertise and training
to serve as stewards of antibiotic use in food-producing animals in Ontario. The feedback
indicated that a detailed review of the ideas generated is warranted. It was proposed that
a next phase of this project would include evaluation of the suggested actions as to their
potential positive impact on the appropriate use of antibiotics in food-producing animals. If
determined to be of value, these suggestions could lead to tangible advancement and the
desired demonstrated leadership by the profession as a whole.
5
Antibiotic Use in Food-Producing Animals in Ontario: A Study of the Current Practises and Perceptions of Ontario Veterinarians