Multi-sectoral collaboration contributed to halving the sale of antibiotics in the UK livestock industry

Significant success in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food-producing animals can be achieved if the livestock industry takes ownership of the issue and drives the work of its sectors, according to a new UK case study on AMR published today.

Produced jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the UK’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), FAO’s Reference Centre for AMR, “Tackling antimicrobial use and resistance in food-producing animals: Lessons learned in the United Kingdom”, is the third publication in the AMR case study series.

This FAO series explores case studies from around the world and helps countries share what works to accelerate global progress in preserving valuable medicines and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. The new publication highlights the UK’s successful collaborative approach to antimicrobial stewardship, which has led to the country halving the sale of antibiotics for food-producing animals since 2014.

“UK agriculture has undergone a transformation over the last few years, embedding the principles of responsible antimicrobial use across all sectors of livestock production through collaboration between government, vets and farmers culminating in the UK halving its sales of antibiotics for food-producing animals since 2014,” said Christine Middlemiss, UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

“We are proud of the achievements detailed within this report, which represents a concerted effort from all those involved, and hope that the lessons here can inspire others to embark on their own stewardship journeys. The UK will continue to work alongside our global partners to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials,” she concluded.

“FAO thanks its partners in the United Kingdom for contributing their valuable experience,” said Keith Sumption, FAO Chief Veterinary Officer. “Together, we can work towards a future where AMR is controlled, leading to safe and sustainable agrifood systems for all.”

AMR is recognized as one of the greatest threats to humans, animals, plants and the environment. If left unchecked, antimicrobial resistance could lead to a USD 3.4 trillion drop in gross domestic product worldwide over the next decade. Responsible use of antimicrobials is key to addressing this growing challenge, as misuse and overuse of antimicrobials is a major cause of drug resistance.

Building trust across sectors

The United Kingdom is one of the most significant livestock producers in Europe, worth GBP 14.7 billion. Its livestock industry is responsible for the health and welfare of over one billion animals each year. Although antimicrobials are essential medicines for animal welfare and protection, growing pressure from the media, the public and government highlighted the need to use antimicrobials responsibly and reduce the need by improving animal health and adopting preventative veterinary practices.

Remarkably, the industry took ownership of the issue by forming the Targets Task Force (TTF) convened by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) Alliance. Each sector has been able to look closely at its system and identify opportunities for improved antimicrobial use.

The cross-sectoral exchange of experience within the TTF enabled all sectors to benefit from the collective knowledge. Thanks to the increased awareness and understanding among producers and veterinarians, a fundamental and sustainable behaviour change has been brought about in the livestock industry.

Lessons learned

The publication identified key factors for the UK’s success, such as building a strong relationship between farmers and veterinarians, setting targets tailored to the challenges of each livestock sector, and ensuring access to data for target setting and monitoring.

Other elements highlighted were the importance of clear and transparent communication, collaboration and committed leadership. As a result of the voluntary, collaborative approach, the United Kingdom is now one of the countries with the lowest antimicrobial consumption in Europe and one of the countries with a significant livestock industry.

Based on a deeper understanding of the sectors, the original Targets Task Force was reconfigured as TTF2, which was tasked with developing a second set of targets for 2021-2024. The United Kingdom recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to tackling AMR, but hopes that the report will provide insight and a helpful resource for others exploring options to implement their own stewardship programmes.

Reducing the need for antimicrobials

Livestock products play a crucial role in feeding the ever-growing human population, so careful planning is needed to ensure sustainable food production and reduce the need for antimicrobials. At the heart of the UK’s strategy lies the importance of the One Health approach.

To support Members in their efforts to address AMR, FAO is currently developing an ambitious ten-year global initiative aimed at reducing the need for antimicrobials in agrifood systems (RENOFAM). It will be action-oriented, advocating for better biosecurity measures, vaccination programmes and public-private partnerships.

FAO recognizes and supports the United Kingdom’s continued efforts in dealing with AMR and is pleased to have designated an FAO Reference Centre for AMR in the United Kingdom. The Centre’s mandate is to support FAO in international knowledge transfer and capacity building. The Organization welcomes the United Kingdom’s commitment to helping others and learning from global partners.

AAIB Report: Leonardo AW189 (G-MCGT), Unexpected pitch oscillations

News story

During a brief for a search and rescue (SAR) training flight near Heads of Ayr, a Leonardo AW189 (G-MCGT) experienced unexpected pitch oscillations, 30 July 2021.

Figure 2: Collective and Cyclic AFCS Controls

During a pre-flight brief for a SAR training flight, the co-pilot highlighted that a previous flight on the aircraft resulted in unexpected pitch oscillations following the selection of the Transition Down mode of the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS). After other training priorities had been completed, the crew replicated the circumstances that triggered the previous pitch oscillations. The result was similar unexpected flight oscillations in the pitch axis and the crew reported this to the operator.

The event was caused by a shortcoming in the design of the Phase 5 version of the AFCS software SAR upper modes – this also resulted in the incorrect AFCS mode indications being shown to the flight crew and the conflict between airspeed and groundspeed priority on selection of the Transition Down.

Safety Action has been taken by the manufacturer and operator to address the shortcomings in the software, to brief the helicopter community and reinforce the importance of reporting issues.

Read the report.

Media enquiries call: 01932 440015 or 07814 812293

Published 29 September 2022

MHRA appoints first new UK Approved Body to certify medical devices since Brexit

Press release

DEKRA Certification UK Ltd has now joined the three current UK Approved Bodies

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has confirmed that DEKRA Certification UK Ltd has now joined the three current UK Approved Bodies, increasing the UK’s capacity to process conformity assessments for medical devices to ensure safe and effective devices reach the UK public.

DEKRA has become the first organisation to complete the new designation process that any potential organisation must now go through in order to become approved to certify medical devices in the UK. They are now designated as a UK approved body to undertake assessments for general medical devices (known as Part II designation).

An approved body is an organisation that has been designated by the MHRA to assess whether manufacturers and their medical devices meet the requirements set out in the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002.

With the exception of the very lowest risk devices, manufacturers must apply to a UK approved body. Only after they have UKCA certification can their products be placed on the market in England, Wales and Scotland.

Following an appropriate assessment, the approved body will issue relevant certification allowing manufacturers to place a UKCA marking on their products before putting them on the market.

Dr Laura Squire, MHRA Chief Healthcare Quality and Access Officer said:

This is a major milestone in our mission to ensure patients across the UK have access to the high-quality medical devices they need to protect their health.

Approved Bodies play a critical role in the supply of medical devices and expanding capacity is vital to the successful development of the UK’s medical device regulatory regime. This has been a significant piece of work and our teams have worked extremely hard to get to this stage.

The MHRA’s detailed assessment process is designed to ensure that any organisations that wish to certify medical devices are stable, are able to undertake impartial and objective assessments, have an appropriate quality management system in place to support them, have the resources to undertake the assessments, and the processes and ongoing certification in place to meet the relevant regulatory requirements.

There are a further six organisations who are currently in the assessment process and there is active engagement with several further organisations who are preparing to submit their initial submission.

Find out more

Medical Devices: UK approved bodies

Notes to editors

DEKRA Certification UK Ltd has joined the current three Approved Bodies: BSI Assurance UK Ltd, SGS United Kingdom Ltd and UL International Ltd.
Between September and November 2021, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) consulted on proposed changes to the regulatory framework for medical devices in the United Kingdom (UK). The proposals, alongside the consultation response and Government response have been published.

Published 29 September 2022

Fishing industry in 2021 statistics published

The publication is a summary of:

The UK fishing fleet
Its activity at sea
Landings – how much fish they catch and land
Effort – how long they spend at sea
Trade

Fleet

In 2021 there were 5,783 United Kingdom registered fishing vessels. This represents a 10 per cent reduction in the last ten years, however Gross Tonnage (GT) has remained the same at 202 thousand tonnes. Approximately 20 per cent of the United Kingdom fleet is represented by vessels over 10 metres in length, of which 44 per cent are administered in Scotland. There are around 11 thousand fishers working on United Kingdom registered vessels. This is a reduction of 1,700 fishers in the last ten years.

Landings

In 2021, United Kingdom vessels landed 652 thousand tonnes of sea fish with a value of £921 million. Compared to 2020, this is an increase of 5 per cent and 11 per cent in quantity and value respectively. This is mainly driven by the United Kingdom’s recovery from the covid period and additional quota available to the United Kingdom fleet after leaving the EU. Landings into the United Kingdom by foreign vessels in 2021 was 20 thousand tonnes, which compared to 2020 represents a 48 per cent reduction, however landings abroad by United Kingdom vessels has increased by 5 per cent to 258 thousand tonnes.

Trade

The United Kingdom is a net importer of fish. The United Kingdom’s crude trade gap in 2021 for sea fish is 305 thousand tonnes. This is higher than 2020 where the gap was 250 thousand tonnes. In 2021 the United Kingdom imported 655 thousand tonnes of sea fish, with a value of £3.1 billion. It exported 350 thousand tonnes, with a value of £1.6 billion.

View the full report, tables and underlying datasets at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-sea-fisheries-annual-statistics

Notes to editors:

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) manages the seas around England, including the management of fisheries.

The MMO has the task of ensuring that stocks are managed throughout the year to maximise fishing opportunities for the UK industry, while ensuring that stocks are not overfished and the UK government and taxpayer does not have to pay steep penalties.

We are continually working with the fishing industry to improve day-to-day management with accurate catch limits and forecasts that secure longer fisheries, while safeguarding the welfare of fish stocks.

Further information is available from our website at www.gov.uk/mmo

Contacts: Tel: 0300 123 1032
Email: media@marinemanagement.org.uk

Over £100k in charitable donations to be recovered for Wrexham charities after judge orders ex-trustee to pay out

Press release

As a result of successful legal action brought by the Charity Commission, over £117k will be recovered and distributed to support cancer patients in Wrexham and District Hospitals.

The High Court of Justice has ruled in favour of the Charity Commission following its decision to take legal action for restitution against the sole trustee of the Frank Wingett Cancer Relief Fund.

Simon Wingett has been ordered to repay £117,100.32 which, subject to recovery, will be distributed by the Commission to local charities supporting the relief of cancer patients treated in Wrexham.

This follows a compliance case into the Frank Wingett Cancer Relief Fund, which the regulator opened in 2017 to investigate concerns about the charity’s management.

The charity was set up to relieve patients in Wrexham and District hospitals, particularly those suffering from cancer and allied diseases, through raising funds for medical and surgical equipment and facilities.

The charity came under scrutiny after its funds were misused to support the creation of a 210ft (over 60m) Welsh dragon statue as a tourist attraction. This project has no connection to advancing the charity’s aims and to date, no statue has been built.

In July 2019, the Commission disqualified Mr Wingett from acting as a trustee or senior manager of any charity in England or Wales for a period of 10 years and has since pursued the restitution of funds.

Tracy Howarth, Assistant Director of Casework at the Charity Commission, said:

Charity trustees hold important positions of trust. We – and the public – expect trustees to ensure financial decisions are taken in the best interests of the charity and those it serves to benefit.

Mr Wingett’s significant misuse of funds was an abuse of the trust placed in him by the many donors to the charity. This ruling will ensure the charitable proceeds raised are now directed to the benefit of those in the local community they were intended for.

Notes to editor:

On the 12th September 2022, the High Court of Justice ordered Mr Wingett to pay a sum of £117,100.32 by way of restitution. Mr Wingett has also been ordered to pay the sum of £9,755.00 to cover the Charity Commission’s legal costs.
The Official Custodian will oversee the recovery of funds which can then be distributed by the Charity Commission.
The Charity Commission takes cases of misconduct or wrongdoing which result in depriving a charity of property or funds very seriously. In appropriate cases and exceptionally, the commission will bring legal proceedings, in the public interest with the Attorney General’s consent, to recover funds lost to charity.
For further information on the Charity Commission’s policy on restitution and recovery of charitable funds, please see this link: Charity Commission policy on restitution and the recovery of charitable funds misappropriated or lost to charity in breach of trust – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Any member of the public can look up any active or inactive charity based in England and Wales via our Charities Register. About the register of charities (charitycommission.gov.uk)

Published 29 September 2022