DAIRY FARMING AND EMERGING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

Demand for dairy and dairy products are increasing due to uprising human population.  Non-prudent therapeutic and non-therapeutic use of antimicrobials in surging dairy sectors leads to selective evolutionary pressure and rapid development and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across the globe. AMR is a multifaceted problem and an emerging threat to human health, animal health and ecosystem. Rising AMR interferes with effective treatment resulting in treatment failure of previously treatable diseases and high economic burden on society. National action plan on AMR and Global action plan by WHO are formulated to tackle AMR. Improving animal health, good management practices, increased use of ethnoveterinary practices, prudent use of antibiotics, ensuing withdrawal period following antibiotic treatment and treatment of waste from dairy farming will reduce development and dissemination of AMR.