Council Recommendation on stepping up EU actions to combat antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach

Summary:

Recommendation - adopted by the Council of the European Union on 13 June 2023  - seeking to step up action to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using a One Health approach.

Further information:

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) means the ability of a microorganism to survive or to grow in the presence of a concentration of an antimicrobial agent that is usually sufficient to inhibit or kill that micro-organism. It is seen as a growing global threat provoking serious societal and economic challenges. It is also seen as a One Health issue, due to its cross-border and cross-cutting nature. It affects humans, animals and plants, as well as the environment. The One Health approach is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems.

The European Union (EU) first identified the importance of tackling AMR in 2001 with its Community strategy against AMR. This policy was reinforced by the 2011-2026 Action Plan and by the 2017 EU One Health Action Plan against AMR. Since the adoption of this action plan, other initiatives have sought to contribute to further strengthening the EU's response to AMR.

The proposed Council Recommendation extends and complements the 2017 Action Plan in all three dimensions of the One Health spectrum in order to maximise synergies and attain a strong and effective response against AMR across the EU. It was adopted by the European Commission on 26 April 2023 alongside a proposed reform of the EU's pharmaceutical legislation. The plenary of the European Parliament adopted a related Resolution on 1 June. The Council of the European Union adopted the Recommendation on 13 June. The text was published in the Official Journal on 22 June 2023.

Official

EUR-LEX: COM(2023)191: Proposal for a Council Recommendation on stepping up EU actions to combat antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2023:191:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2023)190: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2023:190:FIN

European Commission: Public Health: EU Action on Antimicrobial Resistance https://health.ec.europa.eu/antimicrobial-resistance/eu-action-antimicrobial-resistance_en

European Commission: Press Release, 26/04/2023: European Health Union: Commission proposes pharmaceuticals reform for more accessible, affordable and innovative medicines https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_1843

European Commission: Frequently Asked Questions: Council Recommendation on stepping up EU actions to combat AMR in a One Health approach (26 April 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_1845

European Parliament: Press Release, 01/06/2023: Prudent use of antibiotics and more research needed to fight antimicrobial resistance https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230524IPR91916/

Renew Europe EP Group: Newsroom, 01/06/2023: Renew Europe urges EU-wide action to stop antimicrobial resistance https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2023-06-01/renew-europe-urges-eu-wide-action-to-stop-antimicrobial-resistance

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 13/06/2023: Tackling antimicrobial resistance: Council adopts recommendation https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/06/13/tackling-antimicrobial-resistance-council-adopts-recommendation/

European Commission: Press Release, 13/06/2023: European Health Union: EU steps up the fight against antimicrobial resistance https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3187

---

News

EurActiv, 14/06/2023: Antimicrobial resistance: EU health ministers approve recommendation https://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/antimicrobial-resistance-eu-health-ministers-approve-recommendation/

---