Recommendations
AMCRA is an advisory body and it formulates recommendations in order to answer specific scientific or technical questions for the purpose of achieving the targets. Technical working groups are set up and their composition varies depending on the topic in question.
All AMCRA recommendations are available at the Dutch or French pages.
LEGISLATION
Co-regulation plays a key role in antibiotics policy in Belgium. This means that both the sectors and the Government make efforts towards achieving reduced and rational use of antibiotics.
Belgian Royal Decree of 21 July 2016
Since the publication of this new legislation in Belgium, conditions have been imposed on the use of critically important antibiotics (third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones) by veterinarians in food-producing animals (with the exception of horses and treatment of mastitis with intramammary therapy).
The Royal Decree of 21 July 2016 was supplemeted by the mandatory registration of veterinary antibiotics in Sanitel-Med for laying and broiler hens, pigs, and veal calves. This requirement came into effect on 27 February 2017. The system may be used for the bovine sector on an informal basis.
For further information about SANITEL-MED, please visit the website of the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products.
The Royal Decree of 31 January 2017 stipulates the mandatory registration of veterinary antibiotics in Sanitel-Med for laying and broiler hens, pigs, and veal calves. This requirement came into effect on 27 February 2017. The system may be used for the dairy sector on an informal basis.
The legislation on the practice of veterinary medicine and farm guidance by veterinarians also play an important role in responsible antibiotics use.
COVENANTS
On 30 June 2016, the first "Covenant between the Federal Government and all relevant sector partners on reducing the use of antibiotics in the animal sector" was signed by the Federal Government, represented by the Ministers for Public Health and Agriculture, the sector organisations pharma.be, ABS, BFA, Boerenbond, and FWA, the veterinarians' associations UPV and VDV, the animal health associations ARSIA and DGZ, the standards management bodies Belbeef, Belplume, Belpork, BVK vzw, Codiplan, IPW IKM/QFL/QMK, and AMCRA.
A summary of the results and activities of the Covenant on reducing antibiotic use can be found in the public reports.
February 2021 saw the signing of the second "Antibiotics Covenant between the Federal Government and all relevant sector partners on responsible use of antibiotics in the animal sector in the fight against antibiotic resistance" for the period 2021-2024 by the Federal Government, represented by the Ministers for Public Health and Agriculture, the sector organisations pharma.be, ABS, BFA, Boerenbond, FWA, Landsbond Pluimvee, and VEPEK, the veterinarians' associations UPV VeDa and SAVAB-Flanders, the Dutch- and French-speaking regional boards of Order of veterinarians (NGROD and CRFOMV), the animal health associations ARSIA and DGZ, the standards management bodies Belbeef, Belplume, Belpork, BVK vzw, Codiplan, IPW IKM/QFL/QMK, and AMCRA.
