The use of medicines in farm animal production is crucial to prevent and treat infectious diseases and maintain healthy farm livestock that enjoy high welfare standards. To ensure their effectiveness and safety, it is critical that medicines are used correctly and only when and where necessary.
AHWNI’s role in medicine use within the Northern Ireland ruminant sector is to provide access to trusted best practice information as well as facilitate their optimized use. Central to this is developing strategies that limit the need for medicines through improved animal health. To support these aims, and facilitate informed discussion within the sector, AHWNI hosts and chairs the Northern Ireland Medicines Use Forum. This provides a focal point for discussion on the responsible use of medicines within the NI Agri-Food sector and on measures to ensure that they are used appropriately in regard to animal species, production type and clinical need.
