India Finalizes Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines in Landmark FAO Workshop

The primary aim of the workshop was to develop a comprehensive SVTGs document tailored to India’s needs.

A two-day workshop on the Finalization of Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTGs) was held by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) of the Government of India in New Delhi on August 8-9, 2024. The event gathered 78 key stakeholders from various sectors, including ICAR Animal Science Institutes, Veterinary Universities, private sector organizations like INFAH, international bodies such as FAO, USAID, Jhpiego, and DAHD, to collaboratively develop guidelines for standardizing veterinary practices across India.

On August 9, 2024, the Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, addressed the valedictory session. She underscored the significance of the animal husbandry sector in supporting livelihoods and ensuring food safety and security, highlighting that milk and milk products contribute over ₹12 lakh crore to India's economy. Ms. Upadhyaya emphasized the importance of creating Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTGs) due to the frequent occurrences of infectious and non-infectious diseases in India's large livestock and poultry populations. She praised the efforts of all experts involved and acknowledged the contributions of FAO and USAID in coordinating the workshop. She also highlighted the National Dairy Development Board's (NDDB) initiatives in developing ethno-veterinary practices and suggested their dissemination through the Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production (AHELP) trained by the Department to promote alternatives to antimicrobials.

Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr. Abhijit Mitra inaugurated the workshop on August 8, 2024. He emphasized the Department's initiatives to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India and noted that the SVTGs would support the National Action Plan on AMR. Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director-General (Animal Science) of ICAR, stressed the need for a dynamic and periodically updated guideline. FAO Representative in India, Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara, highlighted FAO's collaboration with the Government of India on various initiatives. The workshop was coordinated by Dr. Raj Kumar Singh, National Consultant for Epidemiology, AMR, and Zoonosis at FAO India.

The primary aim of the workshop was to develop a comprehensive SVTGs document tailored to India’s needs. The guidelines will provide a robust framework for animal health practitioners, ensuring consistency in treatment practices, reducing variability, and enhancing compliance among veterinarians and other prescribers. By establishing standardized treatment protocols, the SVTGs will help policymakers manage animal diseases more effectively and contribute to broader public health goals.

Another critical focus was on promoting Veterinary Drug Stewardship. The SVTGs cover treatment guidelines for 274 diseases across 12 major species, including Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Poultry, Pig, Horses, Donkey, Mule, Camel, Yak, and Mithun. These guidelines aim to curb irrational and inconsistent treatment practices, reduce the risks associated with drug misuse, and address antimicrobial resistance, which poses a significant threat to both animal and human health.

The outcomes of the workshop are expected to significantly impact the veterinary sector in India by providing a valuable resource for veterinary professionals and reducing antimicrobial and drug residues in animal-derived foods, thereby enhancing food safety. This workshop marks a major milestone in the standardization of veterinary practices in India, aligning the country with global best practices and advancing the objectives of the One Health approach and the National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The collaborative efforts of FAO, DAHD, ICAR, and other stakeholders reflect a shared commitment to improving animal health, safeguarding public health, and ensuring the safety of the food supply chain.