New Delhi: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, organised a two-day workshop on the Finalization of Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines. This event took place in New Delhi on August 8-9, 2024. The workshop brought together 78 key stakeholders from the veterinary and animal health sectors, including representatives from ICAR Animal Science Institutes, Veterinary Universities, private organisations like the Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies (INFAH), and international bodies such as USAID, and Jhpiego. The main objective was to collaboratively develop guidelines to standardise veterinary practices across the country.
Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, attended the valedictory session on August 9, 2024. She emphasised the crucial role of the animal husbandry sector in supporting livelihoods and ensuring food safety and security. She highlighted that the value of milk and milk products in India exceeds 12 lakh crore rupees. With the sector growing rapidly compared to agriculture and other allied sectors, India frequently encounters both infectious and non-infectious diseases in its large livestock and poultry populations. Effective management of these diseases is essential to prevent significant negative impacts on community livelihoods.
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The development of Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTGs) for India is a key initiative, as few developing countries have such guidelines. Upadhyaya praised the experts involved in drafting the SVTGs and acknowledged the contributions of FAO and USAID in coordinating and conducting the workshop. She also commended the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for developing ethno-veterinary practices for common livestock ailments and suggested their dissemination through the Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production (AHELP) trained by the Department, promoting alternatives to antimicrobials to mitigate antimicrobial resistance risks.
Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner at DAHD, inaugurated the workshop on August 8, 2024. He highlighted the department’s initiatives to contain antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India and noted that the guidelines would support the National Action Plan on AMR. Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director-General (Animal Science) at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), emphasised the need for a dynamic guideline that requires periodic updates. Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India, highlighted FAO’s collaboration with various Government of India initiatives. The workshop was coordinated by Dr. Raj Kumar Singh, National Consultant for Epidemiology, AMR, and Zoonosis, FAO India.
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The workshop’s primary goal was to develop a comprehensive Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines document tailored to India’s needs. These guidelines aim to provide a robust framework for Animal Health Practitioners, ensuring consistency in prescription practices, reducing variability, and enhancing compliance among veterinarians and other prescribers. By establishing clear and standardised treatment protocols, the SVTGs will empower policymakers with effective tools to control and manage animal diseases more efficiently, ultimately contributing to broader public health goals.
Another critical focus of the workshop was the promotion of Veterinary Drug Stewardship. The SVTGs cover treatment guidelines for 274 diseases across 12 major species: Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Poultry, Horses, Donkey, Mule, Camel, Yak, and Mithun. These guidelines aim to curb irrational and inconsistent treatment practices in the animal health sector. By promoting the rational use of veterinary drugs, the SVTGs will play a vital role in reducing the risks associated with drug misuse, including the development of antimicrobial resistance, which poses a significant threat to both animal and human health.
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The outcomes of this workshop are expected to have a transformative impact on the veterinary sector in India. The development of SVTGs is anticipated to serve as a valuable resource for veterinary professionals, paraprofessionals, and animal health workers across the country. Additionally, the adoption of SVTGs is expected to lead to a reduction in antimicrobial and drug residues in animal-derived foods, thereby enhancing food safety.
This workshop marks a significant milestone in the standardisation of veterinary practices in India, aligning the country with global best practices and advancing the objectives of the One Health approach and the National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The collaborative efforts of FAO, DAHD, ICAR and other stakeholders in developing these guidelines reflect a shared commitment to improving animal health, safeguarding public health, and ensuring the safety of the food supply chain.
