Antimicrobial Resistance in Kenya

Antibiotics are a tool that farmers and producers can use to battle sickness and disease with their livestock. But like many things in this world, if a good thing is overused or abused there can be harmful results. This is the case with antimicrobial resistance. Often times developing countries can be at a much higher risk of antimicrobial resistance for a variety of reasons. The linked video from the FAO shows how farmers in Kenya are protecting against antimicrobial resistance.

AMR in Kenya - Rising to the Challenge

Discussion Points

• What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? If someone walked up to you on the street and asked you what AMR is and why it is a concern what would you tell them?
• What are farmers in Kenya doing to combat and protect against AMR? Of these practices which do you feel is most important and why?
• In the video it stated that developing countries are at a higher risk of AMR. Why is this?
• The "one health" concept mentioned in the video calls on everyone to fight AMR. Why is this so important? How do we get everyone to "buy in" to fighting AMR?

No Antibiotics for Livestock?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently came out with a recommended blanket ban on antibiotics for livestock. Below we have linked an article and video from Market to Market explaining the WHO's stance and USDA's stance on the recommended policy. We encourage you to investigate the linked video/article and utilize the discussion points provided to guide conversations in coffee shops, classrooms, and communities around the world!

International Groups Says Certain Antibiotics Should Not Be Used on Sick Livestock

Discussion Points

• Why has the WHO made this antibiotic ban recommendation and how do they justify this ban?
• How has the USDA responded and what arguments have they made for their stance?
• What is the current policy on antibiotic use with livestock in your home country?
• Where do you stand on this recommendation? Keep it? Amend it? Scrap it? Justify your response.