DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2018.v05i09.001

Pages: 471-482

Abstract: Antimicrobials are used in livestock production to maintain health and productivity. Antimicrobial agents are used throughout the world, across a diverse array of extensive and intensive livestock production systems, to protect the health and welfare of livestock and to improve their performance. Frequent and unregulated use of antimicrobials in livestock requires public health attention. Antimicrobial drug residues in food animals are one of the major problems for food contamination and have public health significance. In Ethiopia the control of drugs from the government authorities and information on the actual rational drug use pertaining to veterinary drug use is very limited. In addition, misuses of drugs are common among the various sectors including veterinary and public health. In addition there is lack of awareness and preparedness among the controlling authorities and producers in dealing with the risk of indiscriminate use of antimicfobials to the livestock and to the consumers. Food animals slaughtered for domestic and export purposes in the country are not screened for the presence of residues in any of the slaughterhouses in the country. No formal control mechanisms exist to protect the consumers against the consumption of meat and milk products containing harmful drug residues in the country. Demand for animal protein for human consumption is rising globally at an unprecedented rate. Modern animal production practices are associated with regular use of antimicrobials, potentially increasing selection pressure on bacteria to become resistant. Despite the significant potential usage of antimicrobials in food animals, there has been no quantitative measurement of global antimicrobial consumption by livestock. It is upon this common ground that the human medical and veterinary medical communities call for the proper and prudent use of antimicrobials, and mandate the proper training of human and animal health professionals regarding the judicious