FDA to hold meeting on antibiotic use in food animals

The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) is a collaboration among the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and state and local health departments. NARMS tests certain bacteria collected from humans, food-producing animals and retail meats in order to determine whether the bacteria are resistant to specific antimicrobials (also called antibiotics).

The FDA will provide updates on the NARMS 2012-2016 Strategic Plan, discuss possible future activities, respond to questions, and provide an opportunity for public input. Discussion will include:

• The role of NARMS in analysing foodborne outbreaks;
• Results of interagency research projects using advanced detection methods;
• Comparisons of new and old methods of sampling at the time of slaughter; and
• How scientific advances impact FDA’s decision making.

The meeting will be held on August 12-13, 2014 at the FDA Headquarters, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Md.

Early registration is recommended because seating is limited. Attendees may register, ask general questions about the meeting, request an opportunity to make an oral presentation, or request special accommodations due to a disability by contacting Laura Bradbard, Center for Veterinary Medicine (HFV-12), Food and Drug Administration, 7519 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855, telephone: 240-276-9109, FAX: 240-276-9115, email: laura.bradbard@fda.hhs.gov.

A webcast of the meeting will also be available.