The Samoa Government has received guidelines that will be pivotal in the treatment of diseases that afflict food-producing animals as well as plants in a major boost to the country's food security.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries – through the Animal Production and Health Division – received its “Samoa Antimicrobial Prescribing Guidelines” which comes as a result of collaboration with the Combat AMR Project which is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). 

The Combat AMR project focused on addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), specifically from the Ministry's Animal Production and Health Division as well as the Animal Protection Society (APS) in relation to the use of antimicrobials in treating sick animals, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Antimicrobial use is well-documented in agricultural practices. They are important in treating diseases of food-producing animals both aquatic and terrestrial as well as plants to ensure food security. Such medicines are so vital in these areas but global misuse over the years has resulted in the phenomenon we now call ‘Antimicrobial Resistance’ or AMR. 

It is projected that over the years there is a growing demand for animal-source food and agri-products and the demand for antimicrobial use is also expected to grow. With such knowledge, it is ever so important now to form collaborations with experts in these areas especially veterinarians to develop programs or work plans to address such issues of overuse and misuse of antimicrobials via an “Antimicrobial Stewardship Program”. 

With the biggest challenge of not having a Government Veterinarian, the responsibilities for animal health are handled by para-veterinarian. The guidelines produced under the Combat AMR are an excellent outcome that will assist the Ministry in treating animals and reducing potential AMR risks for Samoa from the animal health sector.

The Ministry stated that it would like to give recognition to its key stakeholders, veterinarian experts, and NGOs, and expressed its gratitude to the Australian government through the DFAT for its continuous financial and technical support, towards Samoa's agricultural and fisheries initiatives and efforts.