Resistance to antimicrobials has been highlighted as an issue by recent reports, such as that from the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, and a number of editorials in this journal. We look forward with interest to the publication of a report from the BVA antimicrobial working groupon this matter in due course.
One of the issues which has been raised is "mass medication" by in-feed and in-water medication. The suggestion of a link between such methods of medication and resistance development is, in our opinion, speculative. There are many situations in poultry medicine where whole-flock administration is completely appropriate. It is often, for instance, desirable to treat in contactanimals before clinical signs commence or become severe to ensure adequate therapy before cessation of appetite or thirst. This is not to say we are complacent.
We write to inform colleagues who may be called upon to medicate poultry that the British Poultry Veterinary Association (BVPA) has produced a set of guidelines which they may find helpful. These guidelines were developed and approved prior to the publication of the House of Lords report. As a result of this report and certain other as yet unpublished information we have elected to create an addendum to the guidelines which is, briefly,as follows:
Complete copies of the BVPA guidelines and the addendum may be requested by mail or fax from our honorary secretary (P.Cargill, Merial Animal Health,Sandringham House, Harlow Business Park, Harlow,Essex. CM19 5TG. FAX 01279 775888) or by E.mail from PaulMcMullin@Compuserve.com. (*see note below)
Yours Sincerely, Barry Thorp (President, British Veterinary Poultry Association) Paul F. McMullin (Chair, BVPA Medicines Working Group)
*NOTE: The complete text of these Guidelines is now available on this web site.