This article focuses on the new Veterinary Medicines Regulation, which is applicable across all Member States of the European Union, including Ireland, from 28 January 2022. From this date, prophylactic use of antimicrobials (AMs) in groups of animals is banned, metaphylactic use in groups of animals is restricted, and certain AMs are reserved for humans only. In the Irish dairy industry, as elsewhere, successful implementation of the Regulation will require a high level of mastitis control across all herds, and measures to support high standards in antibiotic stewardship. National actions will be critical, to support optimal mastitis control throughout the national herd. For private veterinary practitioners (PVPs), the Regulation will lead to specific prescribing changes, including the requirement to shift from blanket to selective dry cow therapy. Further, prescribing choices will need to be guided by the categorisation for AMs developed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). More broadly, the Regulation requires a fundamental shift in thinking both in terms of AM usage and of the role of the PVP. Given the close association between mastitis control and intramammary AM stewardship, it is imperative that prescribing and mastitis control decisions are made concurrently. A herd health approach will be critical, within a Client-Patient-Practice Relationship as outlined by the Veterinary Council of Ireland. On those farms with sub-optimal mastitis control, mastitis issues need to be sustainably resolved. A detailed farm investigation by the PVP, in partnership with the farmer and other milk quality professionals, is essential, to understand the epidemiology and on-farm drivers of mastitis, to develop farm-specific action plans, and to facilitate ongoing monitoring of progress. It is vital that PVPs provide leadership, with the provision of a holistic, herd health approach to inform both prescribing and mastitis control decisions in herds under their care.

中文翻译：

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新兽药法规：迎接挑战

本文重点介绍新的兽药法规，该法规自 2022 年 1 月 28 日起适用于包括爱尔兰在内的所有欧盟成员国。从该日起，禁止在动物群中预防性使用抗微生物药物 (AM)，形而上性地使用在动物群体中是受限制的，并且某些 AMs 仅供人类使用。与其他地方一样，在爱尔兰乳制品行业，该法规的成功实施将需要对所有牛群进行高水平的乳腺炎控制，并采取措施支持抗生素管理的高标准。国家行动将至关重要，以支持整个国家畜群的最佳乳腺炎控制。对于私人兽医从业者 (PVP)，该法规将导致具体的处方变化，包括从毯子疗法转变为选择性干奶牛疗法的要求。此外，处方选择需要以欧洲药品管理局 (EMA) 制定的 AM 分类为指导。更广泛地说，该法规要求在 AM 的使用和 PVP 的作用方面进行根本性的转变。鉴于乳腺炎控制与乳房内 AM 管理之间的密切联系，必须同时做出处方和乳腺炎控制决策。在爱尔兰兽医委员会概述的客户-患者-执业关系中，畜群健康方法至关重要。在那些乳腺炎控制不佳的农场，乳腺炎问题需要得到可持续的解决。PVP 与奶农和其他牛奶质量专家合作，对农场进行了详细调查，对于了解乳腺炎的流行病学和农场驱动因素、制定针对农场的行动计划以及促进对进展的持续监测至关重要。至关重要的是，PVP 必须发挥领导作用，提供整体的畜群健康方法，为他们所照顾的畜群的处方和乳腺炎控制决策提供信息。